Kankowski and Maritz join Springbok Sevens training squad

Juan de Jongh and Cheslin Kolbe returned to the DHL Stormers Vodacom Super Rugby franchises on Tuesday following appearances for the Springbok Sevens side in the first four rounds of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.

Neil Powell, the Springbok coach, is using a rotation system to rest some of his players and at the same time integrate some fifteens players in an effort to increase the depth of the squad for the forthcoming Olympics. 

Powell handed Springbok Sevens debuts to Tim Agaba and Sandile Ngcobo at the Wellington and Sydney tournaments, while he also gave playing opportunities to the inexperienced Carel du Preez and Dylan Sage.

Meanwhile, Springbok and former Cell C Sharks No 8 Ryan Kankowski, as well as Steval Pumas utility back Hoffman Maritz, have joined the Springbok Sevens training squad in Stellenbosch.

Powell meanwhile praised the impact and contribution of the franchise players, and said he was looking forward to their return later in the season: “Juan, Cheslin and Ryno made a huge impact during their time with us. Juan, who have not been part of our system previously, did especially well since joining us a couple of months ago,” said Powell.

The Springbok Sevens returned home on Monday evening from Sydney, where they finished fourth in the Australian tournament. The previous week they lost a thrilling Cup final in Wellington when New Zealand scored a last-gasp try to snatch the title.

On Tuesday in Stellenbosch the squad completed their compulsory medical examinations. The players will now take a short break and return to camp next Monday to start on preparations for the next two tournaments on the World Series circuit, next month in Las Vegas and Vancouver.

Philip Snyman underwent scans to determine the extent of his shoulder injury, while Justin Geduld will be out of action for up to three weeks because of his shoulder niggle.