Wellington Sevens, New Zealand 6-7 February 2015 2014/15 HSBC Sevens World Series Content Message from the Coach HSBC Sevens World Series Schedule Springbok Sevens Brief history Tournament information Wellington Springbok Sevens Player Profiles Springbok Sevens Management Profiles 1 P a g e
Message from the Springbok Sevens coach We are now one third through the season and will be over the halfway mark when we travel back home from the United States. So far, we can be satisfied with our current form and performances. We won the previous two tournaments in Dubai and Port Elizabeth and we are now looking forward playing in the Wellington Sevens and the Las Vegas Sevens respectively. We made two changes to the squad that played in Dubai and PE. Justin Geduld and Chris Dry were selected in place of Ruhan Nel and Cheslin Kolbe. Last year in Wellington we lost the Cup final against New Zealand and we want to go a step further this year. However, we realise that it will require a massive effort because the World Series is such a tough competition and the teams are improving all the time. Our main focus will be to maintain and hopefully build on our very good momentum on tour. However, just because we won two tournaments in a row does not mean that we are automatic favourites. We certainly cannot go there with a mindset that it will be easier because we have good momentum at the moment. We worked very hard on our approach for Wellington, where we expect the weather to be different to the conditions we have experienced at the Gold Coast, Dubai and PE. We have a lot of respect for our pool opponents France, the USA and Japan and we know we will have to work hard to reach the knockout stages. Although we are leading the log standings at the moment we are certainly not getting carried away or allowing ourselves to be distracted by it. As always, we will focus on our team goals and if we can achieve that then I will be satisfied. Neil Powell Springbok Sevens 2 P a g e
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 (Defending Champions: New Zealand) USA: Las Vegas Sevens 13/15 February 2015 (Defending Champions: South Africa) Hong Kong: Hong Kong Sevens 27/29 March 2015 (Defending Champions: New Zealand) Japan: Tokyo Sevens 4/5 April 2015(Defending Champions: Fiji) Scotland: Glasgow Sevens 9/10 May 2015 (Defending Champions: New Zealand) England: London Sevens 16/17 May 2015 (Defending Champions: New Zealand) 3 P a g e
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) 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 - 125 points (overall winner: New Zealand) 2012/2013: Second - 132 points (overall winner: New Zealand) 2013/2014: Second - 152 points (overall winner: New Zealand) Tournament victories (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, 2011 London, 2011 Edinburgh, 2011 Las Vegas 2013 Japan 2013 Glasgow 2013 Port Elizabeth 2013 4 P a g e
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. 5 P a g e
Tournament information New Zealand Sevens Wellington, New Zealand (Round 4) 6-7 February 2015 Venue: Westpac Stadium Capacity: 36,000 @SevensWelly Event Information HOST UNION - NEW ZEALAND R.F.U Managing union: Wellington R.F.U Website: www.sevens.co.nz Stadium: Westpac Stadium Capacity 34,500 General enquiries: Marty Donoghue (General Manager) Tel: +64 4 380 2204 Email: marty.donoghue@wrfu.co.nz Media enquiries: Hannah Fleming Email: Hannah.Fleming@wrfu.co.nzEmail: rayaan@sarugby.co.za 6 P a g e
SA Schedule: Friday 6 Feb: (SA time) France: 01h00 Japan: 03h52 USA: 07h10 Pools: Pool A: South Africa, USA, France, Japan Pool B: New Zealand, England, Canada, Papua New Guinea Pool C: Australia, Fiji, Portugal, Wales Pool D: Argentina, Scotland, Kenya, Samoa Past winners in New Zealand 2014: New Zealand 2013: England 2012: New Zealand 2011: New Zealand 2010: Fiji 2009: England 2008: New Zealand 2007: Samoa 2006: Fiji 2005: New Zealand 2004: New Zealand 2003: New Zealand 2002: South Africa 2001: Australia 2000: Fiji A moment to saviour in Dubai, December 2014 7 P a g e
Player Profiles Wellington Sevens 2015 Chris Dry (Forwards) 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. Other Squads: Free State (Schools Academy, Under-19, Under-21, Vodacom Cup, Absa Currie Cup); University of the Free State (FNB Varsity Cup) Tournaments: 3 (38) - debut Adelaide 2010; 315 points (63 tries) Dry will be one of the core players for Coach Neil Powell in this series. A very mobile and strong player, Dry brings physicality, line-out skills and grunt to the team. His experience and leadership will be an added bonus. He scored 21 tries last season. Dry missed out on selection in Dubai and PE, so will be keen to justify his inclusion in Wellington. 8 P a g e
Philip Snyman Physical: 1.88m & 98kg, DOB: 26/04/1987, Bloemfontein Education: Grey College Primary, Grey College Bloemfontein, University of Free State Fast facts: Nothing gets Snyman going better than the music of U2 and a healthy portion of steak. Other Squads: Free State (Coca-Cola Craven Week Schools, Under-19, Under-21, Vodacom Cup, Absa Currie Cup); Griffons Absa Currie Cup; Toyota Cheetahs Super Rugby. Tournaments: 27; Debut - Dubai 2010; 156 points (25 tries, 15 conversions) Snyman s decision to forfeit a career in fifteens, which included playing Vodacom Super Rugby, in order to play Sevens has reaped benefits for this fast and strong winger. He is a versatile player, equally adept in the forwards or backs and can kick at the poles as well when needed. Now established as a senior player, Snyman will be keen and eager to perform for his team and country. 9 P a g e
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: 62, Debut - Dubai 2007/08; 275 points (55 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 63 in NZ. 10 P a g e
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: 9; Debut - Port Elizabeth 2013; 105 points (21 tries). Smith has been part of the Development squad for the last two years 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. 11 P a g e
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: 12, Debut London 2013/14; (140 points, 28 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, confirming his fine form. He is also leading the tackle stats. Kyle Brown (Captain) 12 P a g e
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 2010. 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: 42 - debut Dubai 2008; 335 points (67 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. 13 P a g e
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 2010. 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: 35 - Debut Wellington (2009/10); 683 points (61 tries, 187 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. 14 P a g e
Rayno Benjamin Physical: 1.87m & 90kg, DOB: 03/08/1983, St. Helena Bay Education: St. Helena Bay Primary, Weston High School Fast facts: Benjamin was a member of the national squad that won the overall series title in 2008/09. He also won titles in Dubai in 2006 and 2008. Other Squads: Boland Kavaliers (Vodacom Cup, Absa Currie Cup); Xerox Golden Lions (Absa Currie Cup); Toyota Free State (Absa Currie Cup); Toyota Cheetahs, Vodacom Super Rugby. Tournaments: 27 Debut: Dubai 2006; 424 points (84 tries, 2 conversions) Benjamin made a return to the circuit for the first time in since 2009/10. His love for sevens was rekindled last year when he represented South Africa at the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Russia and he is keen to make a solid contribution before returning to the Vodacom Cheetahs for the 2015 Vodacom Super Rugby competition. 15 P a g e
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: DHL Western Province Schools Craven Week, Under-19, Under-21, Currie Cup; SA Under-20 JWC 2013 squad. Tournaments: 14; Debut - Wellington 2013; 262 points (36 tries, 41 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 made his senior debut for DHL Western Province in the 2014 Absa Currie Cup, helping the team to the overall title. 16 P a g e
Cecil Afrika Physical: 1.75m & 73kg, DOB: 03/03/1988, Port Elizabeth Education: Missionvale Primary & Hentie Cilliers HS, Virginia Fast facts: Afrika is a former World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year, the first South African to be bestowed this honour and was also named South African Sevens Player of the Year in his career. His favourite food is pasta and he loves to listen to R&B. Other Squads: Griffons Craven Week, Griffons Under-19, Under-21, Griffons Vodacom Cup, Griffons Currie Cup; South Africa Under-19, Junior Boks Under-21. Tournaments: 33 - debut - Dubai 2009/10; 939 points (112 tries, 189 conversions, 1 drop goal) Now firmly established as one of the top Sevens players of all time, Afrika returns to the circuit fit again following only ten appearances in the last three seasons due to injuries. His all-round abilities in Sevens are breath-taking and his ability to score vital tries in big games are unmatched. He is now the highest points-scorer ever in sevens rugby for South Africa. 17 P a g e
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: Team SA Commonwealth Games 2014; Griffons Craven Week Schools, CUT Varsity Cup, Junior Springboks 2013, DHL Western Province, DHL Stormers. Tournaments: 12; Debut - Wellington 2013/14; 320 points (64 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 2013. 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. 18 P a g e
Warrick Gelant Physical: 1.79m & 86kg, DOB 20/05/1995, Knysna Education: Hornlee Primary, Outeniqua High School, University of Pretoria Fast Facts: Gelant has won silver with the Junior Springboks at the JWC in New Zealand and gold with the SA U18 Sevens at the 2013 Australian Youth Olympics. Other squads: SWD Craven Week; SA Schools (2012/13); University of Pretoria Tukkies, Varsity Cup; Vodacom Blue Bulls (Under-19, Vodacom Cup); Junior Springboks (2014). Tournaments: 2 - debut in Dubai 2014/15; (12 points, 2 tries, 1 conversion) Gelant was a real schoolboy star and the young player is set for a long career in international rugby. A fullback/wing with a great set of feet and massive speed, the world is Gelant s oyster. He has the temperament and skill to succeed at the highest level and could be a surprise package in the series. 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 63 in NZ. Cecil Afrika (939) passed Fabian Juries as the top points scorer for the Blitzboks in the HSBC Sevens World Series Coach Neil 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. 19 P a g e
Team Management Neil Powell (Head coach) : Powell had a stellar career as a player, representing the Springbok Sevens team in 32 tournament 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 2013. He has now won a bronze medal as a player and a gold medal as a coach in Rugby Sevens at the Commonwealth Games. His next aim will be to 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 (2002-06) and Griqualand West in the Absa Currie Cup and Vodacom Cup (2004-06). 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 156 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 SevensWorld Series. Bryan Habana played in two tournaments. 20 P a g e
Team records (All time) Top Scorers 1. Cecil Afrika, 939 points (33 tournaments) 2. Fabian Juries, 925 points (44 tournaments) 3. Mzwandile Stick, 855 points (37 tournaments) 4. Stefan Basson, 691 points (19 tournaments) 5. Branco du Preez, 683 (35 tournaments) Top Try scorers: 1. Fabian Juries 179 (44 tournaments) 2. Cecil Afrika 112 (31 tournaments) 3. Marius Schoeman 103 (42 tournaments) 4. Mzwandile Stick 86 (37 tournaments) Top Goal kickers: 1. Mzwandile Stick (210) 2. Stefan Basson (195) 3. Cecil Afrika (189) 4. Branco du Preez (187) 5. Brent Russell (118) Most tournament appearances 1. Frankie Horne 62 2. Fabian Juries 44 3. Marius Schoeman 42 4. Kyle Brown 42 5. Chris Dry 38 21 P a g e
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: Sebastian Prim (High Performance Manager: Springbok Sevens) sprim@sarugby.co.za +27829591488 Rayaan Adriaanse (SARU Media Manager) rayaan@sarugby.co.za +27829990022 Twitter: @blitzboks Compiled by SARU Corporate Affairs 22 P a g e