Soyizwapi hits 50 as Geduld returns for Blitzboks

Springbok Sevens captain Siviwe Soyizwapi will make his 50^th HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series appearance for the Blitzboks in Toulouse next weekend after being named in a squad that feature five players who return to action after missing the tournaments in Hong Kong and Singapore.

James Murphy, Ronald Brown, Dewald Human and Shilton van Wyk all played some part in the 2022/23 season, but for Justin Geduld, it will be a much-anticipated return after more than a year on the side line, having last played at the HSBC Spain Sevens in Seville in January 2022.

With Geduld back in the squad following recovery from knee and hip injuries, the Blitzboks have their current most capped player back for the first time this season, while he is also the leading points’ scorer in the squad.

The experienced flyhalf has played in 52 tournaments and scored 1060 points, which means Blitzbok coach Sandile Ngcobo could name his most experienced squad since taking over the reins at the start of the season.

The return of Brown, Human and Geduld also means that Ngcobo will have the luxury of five playmakers per match, an area of expertise that was lacking due to injuries at crucial times.

The Blitzboks (106) are in seventh place on the World Series log and need to overtake Australia (112) and Samoa (111) to finish in the top four and secure automatic Olympic Games qualification. 

They will face Fiji, France and USA in a very competitive Pool C of the tournament, with their opening match against the hosts on Friday, 12 May at 14h35 SA time.

They will also play Fiji at 21h03 the same day, with their final pool game in Stade Ernst-Wallon on Saturday, 13 May at 13h49 (SA time).

The Springbok Sevens squad:

Ryan Oosthuizen – 41 tournaments, 197 matches (185 points, 37 tries)

Impi Visser – 30 tournaments, 157 matches (140 points, 28 tries)

James Murphy – 15 tournaments, 69 matches (55 points, 11 tries)

Ronald Brown – 11 tournaments, 53 matches (310 points, 30 tries, 80 conversions)

Dewald Human – 20 tournaments, 87 matches (226 points, 18 tries, 68 conversions)

Siviwe Soyizwapi (captain) – 49 tournaments, 255 matches (745 points, 149 tries)

Mfundo Ndhlovu – 15 tournaments, 71 matches (90 points, 18 tries)

Christie Grobbelaar – 16 tournaments, 82 matches. (125 points, 25 tries)

Shaun Williams – 11 tournaments, 54 matches (125 points, 19 tries, 15 conversions)

Shilton van Wyk – 11 tournaments, 62 matches (120 points, 24 tries)

Justin Geduld – 52 tournaments, 270 matches (1060 points, 115 tries, 241 conversions, 1 penalty goal)

Travis Ismaiel – 3 tournaments, 14 matches (5 points, 1 try)

Ricardo Duarttee – 8 tournaments, 42 matches, (187 points, 14 tries, 57 conversions, 1 penalty goal)