London Sevens Twickenham Stadium, London, England 16/17 May /15 HSBC Sevens World Series

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1 London Sevens Twickenham Stadium, London, England 16/17 May /15 HSBC Sevens World Series Content Message from the Coach HSBC Sevens World Series Schedule Springbok Sevens Brief history Tournament information London Springbok Sevens Player Profiles Springbok Sevens Management Profiles 1 P a g e

2 Message from the coach The final tournament of the HSBC Sevens World Series have finally arrived and the race at the top of the log could not be tighter! Fiji leads us by five points and we have New Zealand snapping at our heels, so we have everything to gain, but also everything to lose. We were still the masters of our own destiny going into Glasgow last weekend, but unfortunately we have let ourselves down and failed to deliver the right result. This now means that we will probably have to win the Marriott London Sevens and hope that Fiji does not finish in the top three to clinch the series. It is by no means going to be easy. There can be no doubt that the HSBC Sevens World Series is more competitive than ever before and that every match you play has become a final in its own. You just cannot let your guard slip for one second in any tournament anymore. We will have to play the best we can if we want to be crowned champions and pending other results, that might not even be enough. We have three much respected opponents in France, Portugal and the USA in our pool and we cannot afford to be off the boil, as they will punish us. We have lost Philip Snyman and Cecil Afrika in Glasgow, but have more than able replacements in Carel du Preez and Justin Geduld. Both will add value to our effort. Carel is one of the rising stars of our Academy programme and Justin was not named in the World Dream Team at the end of last season for nothing. Allow me to congratulate the squad and my management on achieving our main objective for the season - to qualify for the Olympic Games in Rio in This took tremendous effort and hard work from all and even if we fail to win the series, we will walk tall in knowing that we achieved the ultimate goal for the season. That said, we still believe we can win the series as well. Sevens is a weird, wonderful and totally unpredictable game and there is lot of rugby to be played in London. Thanks for all the support we have been shown this year and know that we will be trying our best, as always, for all our fans out there. Neil Powell Springbok Sevens coach 2 P a g e

3 Neil Powell won bronze at the Commonwealth Games in Sevens as a player and gold as a coach. HSBC Sevens World Series Schedule 2014/15 Australia: Gold Coast Sevens 11/12 October 2014 (Winners: Fiji) United Arab Emirates: Dubai Sevens 5/6 December 2014 (Winners: South Africa) South Africa: Cell C Nelson Mandela Bay Sevens 13/14 December 2014 (Winners: South Africa) New Zealand: Wellington Sevens 6/7 February 2015 (Winners: New Zealand) USA: Las Vegas Sevens 13/15 February 2015 (Winners: Fiji) Hong Kong: Hong Kong Sevens 27/29 March 2015 (Winners: Fiji) Japan: Tokyo Sevens 4/5 April 2015(Winners: England) Scotland: Scotland Sevens 9/10 May 2015 (Winners: Fiji) England: London Sevens 16/17 May 2015 (Defending Champions: New Zealand) 3 P a g e

4 The Springbok Sevens won the Nelson Mandela Bay Sevens in 2013 and 2014 HSBC Sevens World Series 2014/15 Standings as at 26 March 2015 TEAM AUS DUB RSA NZL USA HKG JPN SCO PTS Fiji RSA NZ ENG AUS USA SCOT ARG Samoa P a g e

5 France Canada Wales Kenya Port Japan Leading points scorers in current series Seabelo Senatla 215 Branco du Preez 182 Cecil Afrika 139 Kwagga Smith 120 Werner Kok 105 Leading Try Scorers in current series Seabelo Senatla 43 Kwagga Smith 24 Cecil Afrika 21 Werner Kok 21 Blitzboks tournament wins (21) Wellington, 2002 Cardiff, 2003 Dubai, 2003* Singapore, 2004 London, 2005 Paris, 2006 Dubai, 2006 Adelaide, 2008 Dubai, 2008 George, 2008 Adelaide, 2009 Las Vegas, P a g e

6 London, 2011 Edinburgh, 2011 Las Vegas 2013 Japan 2013 Glasgow 2013 Port Elizabeth 2013 Las Vegas 2014 Dubai 2014 Port Elizabeth 2014 *Note: In the 2003/04-season, the Springbok Sevens team won the tournament in Dubai, but the log points earned in Dubai and George (losing semi-finalists) were later subtracted because of a playereligibility issue. The Springbok Sevens won the Dubai 7s for a fourth time in 2014 Springbok Sevens HSBC Sevens World Series history 1999/2000: Fifth 80 points (overall winner: New Zealand) 2000/2001: Fifth 82 points (overall winner: New Zealand) 2001/2002: Second 136 points (overall winner: New Zealand) 2002/2003: Fourth 82 points (overall winner: New Zealand) 2003/2004: Fifth 74 points (overall winner: New Zealand) (see Note) 2004/2005: Fourth 76 points (overall winner: New Zealand) 6 P a g e

7 2005/2006: Third 110 points (overall winner: Fiji) 2006/2007: Fourth 94 points (overall winner: New Zealand) 2007/2008: Second 106 points (overall winner: New Zealand) 2008/2009: First 132 points (second: New Zealand) 2009/2010: Sixth 80 points (overall winner: Samoa) 2010/2011: Second 140 points (overall winner: New Zealand) 2011/2012: Fifth points (overall winner: New Zealand) 2012/2013: Second points (overall winner: New Zealand) 2013/2014: Second points (overall winner: New Zealand) The Springbok Sevens squad and management P a g e

8 Tournament information Marriott London Sevens Host Union: Rugby Football Union (RFU) General enquiries: Website: Tournament enquiries: David Roohan Event media enquiries: Emma Kennedy Venue: Twickenham Stadium Capacity: P a g e

9 SA Fixtures (SA time) 16 May France 11h00 Portugal 13h06 USA 16h34 Springbok Sevens Head to Head (Day One) France: Played 48, won 42; Average score: 24-9 Last met in Hong Kong 2015: South Africa won 29-7 Portugal: Played 24, won 23; Average score 28-7 Last met Las Vegas 2015: South Africa won 19-0 USA: Played 34, won 31; Average score 27-7 Last met Tokyo 2015; South Africa won Pools: A: Fiji, Canada, Argentina, Samoa B: New Zealand, Australia, Wales, Japan C: England, Scotland, Kenya, Brazil D: USA, South Africa, Portugal, France Recent winners in London 2014: New Zealand 2013: New Zealand 2012: Fiji 2011: South Africa 2010: Australia 2009: England 2008: Samoa 2007: New Zealand 9 P a g e

10 2006: Fiji 2005: South Africa 2004: England 2003: England 2002: New Zealand 2001: New Zealand 10 P a g e

11 Player Profiles London Sevens 2015 Chris Dry Physical: 1.91m & 98kg, DOB: 13/02/1988, Cape Town Education: Grey Primary, Grey College (Bloemfontein), Central University of Technology (CUT), Bloemfontein. Fast facts: Chris plays as a looseforward in the 15-a-side code. His favourite food is lamb ribs. He is a self-proclaimed garage junkie who loves fixing things and a rapper of note. Other Squads: Free State (Schools Academy, Under-19, Under-21, Vodacom Cup, Absa Currie Cup); University of the Free State (FNB Varsity Cup) Tournaments: 43 - debut Adelaide 2010; 320 points (64 tries) Dry is a very mobile and strong player and brings physicality, line-out skills and grunt to the team. His experience and leadership is an added bonus. He scored 21 tries last season, but missed out on selection in Dubai and PE. He worked harder than ever before to get back into the squad and will be keen to justify his inclusion with strong performances in the final two tournament of the series. 11 P a g e

12 Carel du Preez Physical: 1.98m & 100kg, DOB: 30/04/1993, Hartswater Education: Northern Cape Agricultural School, Jan Kempdorp, Stellenbosch Rugby Academy Fast facts: Du Preez has been a member of the Springbok Sevens Academy system and plays at no 8 in fifteens Other Squads: DHL Western Province Under-21, Vodacom Cup, Springbok Sevens Academy. Tournaments: 2 - Debut Japan (2015) Du Preez comes from the SA Elite Player Development Sevens squad and he really impressed with the matches he has played for them. After school, he attended the Stellenbosch Rugby Academy and progressed through the ranks. He played for the DHL Western Province in the Absa Under-21 competition and made their Vodacom Cup team in 2014, before being drafted into the Sevens Academy. Tall, strong and fast, this World Series could be the first of many for the Northern Cape player. 12 P a g e

13 Frankie Horne Physical: 1.83m & 105kg, DOB: 24/02/1983, Port Elizabeth Education: Hugenote Primary & Hugenote HS (Wellington) Fast facts: Horne has not missed a tournament since his debut in Dubai in 2007 and is South Africa s most experienced Sevens player of all time. His favourite food is meat and he loves to listen to the music of Rise Against. Other Squads: Team SA Commonwealth Games 2014; Boland Cavaliers (Under-20, Vodacom Cup, Absa Currie Cup) Tournaments: 67, Debut - Dubai 2007/08; 295 points (59 tries) As the most experience player in the squad, Horne takes charge in matches with a brutal defence. The ever-present veteran will be invaluable if the Springbok Sevens are to win the series. He will extend his HSBC Sevens World Series record of consecutive tournaments to 67 in Glasgow. 13 P a g e

14 Kwagga Smith Physical: 1.82m & 82 kg, DOB: 11/06/1993, Lydenburg Education: Lydenburg Primary, HTS Middelburg Fast Facts: Played for the Junior Springboks in France at the 2013 World Rugby Junior World Championship as a looseforward. Played for the Xerox Golden Lions in the 2014 Absa Currie Cup final. Other Squads: Team SA Commonwealth Games 2014; Pumas (Coca-Cola Craven Week), Xerox Golden Lions (Under-19, Under-21, Vodacom Cup, Absa Currie Cup), Junior Springboks 2013, Springboks Sevens Elite Development squad. Tournaments: 14; Debut - Port Elizabeth 2013; 165 points (33 tries). Smith has been part of the Development squad first and his elevation into the senior squad was only a matter of time. A tireless player around the tackle area with good distribution skills, Smith has all the abilities to play on the circuit for a long time to come. Smith was also a key player for the Junior Springboks in the 2013 JWC in France and played with great success with the Xerox Golden Lions in the Absa Currie Cup, representing his team in the 2014 final. He has made the Series Dream Team on two occasions already this year. 14 P a g e

15 Werner Kok Physical: 1, 77m & 80kg, DOB: 17/01/1993, Nelspruit Education: Nelspruit Primary, Nelspruit High School Fast facts: Kok loves Hip Hop music, his favourite meal is pizza and fish and any re-run of Black Hawk Down will keep him glued to the screen. Other Squads: Team SA Commonwealth Games 2014; Pumas Grant Khomo Under-16; Craven Week Under-18; DHL Western Province Under-19; SA Elite Player Development Sevens Tournaments: 17, Debut London 2013/14; (190 points, 38 tries) Kok is a product of the SA Elite Player Development Sevens squad. The former winger is fast and strong and has the ability to seamlessly move between forwards and backs. He scored the winning try in the 2014 Las Vegas Cup final against New Zealand and scored three tries at the Gold Coast, four in Dubai and four in PE and was named MVP in Hong Kong. He again made the Dream Team in Japan. 15 P a g e

16 Kyle Brown (Captain) Physical: 1.82m & 96 kg, DOB: 06/02/1987, Cape Town Education: SACS, Cape Town and University of Cape Town Fast Facts: South African Sevens Player of the Year in Missed most of the 2012/13 season due to injury so will be keen to make the most his opportunities in the current series. Other squads: Team SA Commonwealth Games 2014; Regent Boland Cavaliers Under -21, DHL Western Province Under-21, University of Cape Town Varsity Cup Tournaments: 47 - debut Dubai 2008; 355 points (70 tries) One of the real stalwarts on the world Sevens stage, Brown will be looking for a strong season having missed a number of tournaments in the last two seasons due to ankle, knee and shoulder injuries. An honest player with high fitness levels and a natural leader, his presence on the pitch is an inspiring sight. His aerial skills are a highlight of his play, while his experience and leadership is key to his team s success. 16 P a g e

17 Branco du Preez Physical: 1.66m & 75kg, DOB: 08/05/1990, George Education: Van der Hoven Primary & PW Botha College (George), Harmony Sports Academy, Virginia, Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) Pretoria Fast facts: Du Preez played scrumhalf and centre for the Junior Springboks in the Junior World Rugby Championships in Other Squads: Team SA Commonwealth Games 2014; Griffons (Coca-Cola Craven Week, Under-19); TUT (FNB Varsity Cup), Blue Bulls (Under-19, Under-21), South Africa (Under-20) Tournaments: 40 - Debut Wellington (2009/10); 775 points (63 tries, 228 conversions). Du Preez has become a real stalwart in the squad and has pretty much made the sweeper role his own. Dynamite comes in small packages and Du Preez certainly provides just that with his explosive pace and lightning breaks. His value as a reliable goal-kicker has helped the team immensely in 2013/14 and it was no surprise that Du Preez was top-scorer for his side with 200 points in the season. 17 P a g e

18 Stephan Dippenaar Physical: 1.88m & 94kg, DOB: 03/01/1988, Moorreesburg Education: Dirkie Uys Primary & Paul Roos Gymnasium (Stellenbosch) Fast facts: Dippenaar has won a Vodacom Super Rugby title with the Vodacom Bulls. His favourite food is pizza and steak and he loves to listen to rock music. Other Squads: DHL Western Province (Schools Academy, Under-19); Vodacom Blue Bulls (Under-19, Under-21, Vodacom Cup; Absa Currie Cup); Vodacom Bulls (Vodacom Super Rugby); South Africa (Under-19, Junior Boks) Tournaments: 24; Debut Wellington 2011/12, 175 points (35 tries) As one of the young stars of South African rugby at the time, Dippenaar s decision to move to Sevens was a massive boost to the code. This friendly and outgoing player is a popular squad member amongst the fans. He has grown into his role of senior player and will be very influential on attack, where his pace as a forward has caught many sides napping. 18 P a g e

19 Justin Geduld Physical: 1.75m & 72kg, DOB: 01/10/1993, Cape Town Education: Webner Primary, Tygerberg HS, Cape Town Fast facts: Geduld is a quiet individual who loves listening to kwaito music. His favourite meal is a pasta dish. Other Squads: Team SA Commonwealth Games 2014; DHL Western Province Schools Craven Week, Under-19, Under-21 and Absa Currie Cup; SA Under-20 JWC 2013 squad. Tournaments: 17; Debut - Wellington 2013; 303 points (43 tries, 44 conversions) Geduld is one of the rising stars in the national game. Although of slender build, his deceptive pace and eye for a gap makes him a very difficult opponent. The young outside back also brings flair into the game. He also represented the Junior Springboks in the Junior World Championship in France in 2013 and was a stand-out for DHL Western Province in the domestic Absa Currie Cup competition. 19 P a g e

20 Ruhan Nel Physical: 1.92 & 90kg, DOB: 17 May 1991, Johannesburg Education: Rynfield Primary, Brandwag HS, University of Johannesburg Fast Facts: In his Currie Cup debut in 2013, Nel scored a try for the Xerox Golden Lions within the first five minutes he came onto the field (against the Toyota Free State Cheetahs). He also scored a hat-trick in his debut match for the Springbok Sevens against American Samoa at Gold Coast and another against Australia in Glasgow. Other squads: Steval Pumas (Under-19), Xerox Golden Lions (Vodacom Cup, Absa Currie Cup), FNB WITS Varsity Cup Tournaments: 5; debut Gold Coast; 50 points (10 tries) Nel made steady progress as a professional player over the last couple of seasons and his national call-up speaks volumes of his commitment and endeavour. A strong, fast and physical player, Nel, who play as a fullback and wing in fifteens, showed the aptitude to be used as a forward in sevens, thanks to a good appetite for rugby and work hard off the ball. 20 P a g e

21 Seabelo Senatla Physical: 1.86m & 77kg, DOB: 10/03/1993, Welkom Education: Koppie Alleen Primary, Riebeeckstad High, Central University of Technology, Free State Fast facts: Senatla was a sprinter at high school where he was spotted by rugby scouts. Other Squads: Springboks, Team SA Commonwealth Games 2014; Griffons Craven Week Schools, CUT Varsity Cup, Junior Springboks 2013, DHL Western Province, DHL Stormers. Tournaments: 18; Debut - Wellington 2013/14; 435 points (87 tries) Senatla is one of the rising stars in South African rugby and joined the Springboks on their Castle Lager Outgoing Series to Europe, although he did not play any tests. He also represented his country at the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Moscow and the Junior World Championships in France in A prolific try scorer with searing pace and great footwork, Senatla is set to be a major trump card for the Springbok Sevens team in the HSBC Sevens World Series. He was equally impressive in his first season of Absa Currie Cup rugby, helping DHL WP to an Absa Currie Cup finals win. 21 P a g e

22 Rosko Specman Physical: 1.66m & 72kg, DOB: 28/04/1989, Grahamstown Education: Mary Waters HS, Grahamstown Fast facts: Specman was named Absa Currie Cup First Division Player of the Year in He hails from the same school as Springbok Sevens great Fabian Juries. Other Squads: KZN, Sharks XV Vodacom Cup; Steval Pumas Currie Cup; SA President s XV Tournaments: 5; Debut Las Vegas 2014; 24 points (four tries, two conversions) Specman is one of the most elusive runners in the game today. He has a wicked step and great pace, a lethal combination on attack. No wonder the former Cell C Sharks player was such a sensation on the wing for Steval Pumas and he was duly named Absa Currie Cup First Division Player of the Year in He has been swopping 15s and 7s with ease and after a short stint with the team in 2014, is keen to leave his mark on the world stage. Milestones Frankie Horne is the only player in the history of the HSBC Sevens World Series to play 60 consecutive tournaments. He will extend that record to 68 in London. Cecil Afrika (1017*) passed Fabian Juries (925) as the top points scorer for the Blitzboks in the HSBC Sevens World Series and became the first Springbok Sevens player to score 1000 career points on the circuit. 22 P a g e

23 Team Management Neil Powell (Head coach): Powell had a stellar career as a player, representing the Springbok Sevens team in 32 tournaments on the HSBC Sevens World Series and captained the side for a number of seasons as well. He played in the Vodacom Super Rugby competition for the Cats and The Sharks and represented Toyota Free State, Vodacom Blue Bulls and GWK Griquas in the Absa Currie Cup competition. After he retired from the playing field, he took to coaching and took charge of the SARU Elite Player Development Sevens squad. Tournament wins with this team in Kenya's Safari Sevens, the International tournament at the Dubai Sevens and the IPL Sevens in George pointed to his affinity in his new role. He also coached the South African Under-18 side to the gold medal at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Australia in He has now won a bronze medal as a player and a gold medal as a coach in Rugby Sevens at the Commonwealth Games. Powell could become the first player who also wins the overall series title as a coach, having being a member of the 2008/2009 team that won the overall series. Hugh Everson (Physiotherapist) Everson has worked as a physiotherapist for several top-class rugby teams, most notably the South African Under-19 team ( ) and Griqualand West in the Absa Currie Cup and Vodacom Cup ( ). Everson was also the physiotherapist for the SA Schools side in 2003 and for the Griquas U19 and U21 teams. Allan Temple-Jones (Biokineticist) Temple-Jones started out at the Sports Science Institute of South Africa in 2005, before taking up full-time employment with SARU. He did his honours in Sports Science, specialising in biokinetics, and, apart from the Springbok Sevens team, has worked with the SA Under-19 side. TJ has also been involved in other sporting codes and has worked with the South African men s hockey side, the Cape Cobras cricket team and professional football sides like Santos, Mamelodi Sundowns and Moroka Swallows. Ashley Evert (Team Manager) Evert is a former South African Under-21 assistant-coach and won many provincial Under-19 and Under-21 titles with the Vodacom Blue Bulls. He joined the Springbok Sevens team as team manager three years ago and is hugely responsible for the seamless administration the squad enjoys. Fast Springbok Sevens Facts: There have been 158 Springboks Sevens players since the inception of the World Series in 1999 (excluding Sevens World Cups). No less than 32 BlitzBoks have gone on to represent the Springboks, with Warren Whiteley, Cornal Hendricks and Seabelo Senatla* the most recent. *Senatla did not play in any tests. Current Springbok captain Jean de Villiers is a former Springbok Sevens player and represented his country 11 times in the World Rugby Sevens World Series. Bryan Habana played in two tournaments. 23 P a g e

24 Team records (All time) Top Scorers 1. Cecil Afrika, 1019 points (38 tournaments) 2. Fabian Juries, 925 points (44 tournaments) 3. Mzwandile Stick, 855 points (37 tournaments) 4. Branco du Preez, 775 (40 tournaments) 5. Stefan Basson, 691 points (19 tournaments) Top Try scorers: 1. Fabian Juries 179 (44 tournaments) 2. Cecil Afrika 124 (38 tournaments) 3. Marius Schoeman 103 (42 tournaments) 4. Mzwandile Stick 86 (37 tournaments) Top Goal kickers: 1. Branco du Preez (228) 2. Mzwandile Stick (210) 3. Cecil Afrika (198) 4. Stefan Basson (195) 5. Brent Russell (118) Most tournament appearances 1. Frankie Horne Kyle Brown Fabian Juries Chris Dry Marius Schoeman P a g e

25 Most points scored in one match Andries Fourie 31 (v Malaysia in Tokyo 2000, SA won 84-0) The list of dual Springboks are: Gio Aplon, Gcobani Bobo**, Gerrie Britz, Warren Britz, Heinrich Brussow, Tonderai Chavhanga, Bolla Conradie, Juan de Jongh, Jean de Villiers, Gaffie du Toit*, Grant Esterhuizen*, Kabamba Floors, Bryan Habana, Cornal Hendricks, Adrian Jacobs, Conrad Jantjes, Ryan Kankowski, Ricardo Loubscher, Jorrie Muller, Akona Ndungane, Jongi Nokwe, Jacques Olivier*, Deon Oosthuyzen*, Andre Pretorius, Jaco Pretorius, Earl Rose, Brent Russell, Andries Strauss, Joe van Niekerk, Jano Vermaak, Warren Whiteley, Ashwin Willemse, Chester Williams* Seabelo Senatla has been picked for the November tour, but did not play in any matches. Highlighted players are current Springboks *Played for the Springboks and then for Springbok Sevens **Played for Springbok Sevens, Springboks, again Springbok Sevens and then Springboks again. Team Contact details: Rayaan Adriaanse (SARU Media Manager) P a g e