The wing/centre will join the South African Sevens squad in February next year, once the Vodacom Super Rugby Unplugged and Currie Cup competitions have been concluded.

“I’m looking forward to joining the squad and representing my country with extreme excitement and wonderful vision. This will be a totally different challenge. If you can dream it, you can be it,” said Maritz on Monday.

He signed a contract with the Blitzboks last week.

“It all started about a year ago when I was playing one of my best seasons for the Pumas in the 2019 SuperSport Challenge. I was lucky to be spotted by the the sevens’ coaches, with the help of my backline coach, MJ Mentz (a former Blitzbok). He had a great influence on me and helped me to always be my best on the field. I was injured for the remainder of the 2019 season and went through a tough preseason. I eventually put pen to paper in September to join the sevens next year,” said Maritz.

The first four legs of the 2020/21 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series have already been cancelled. It was announced by World Rugby in July that the Dubai and Cape Town tournaments would not take place, and on September 1 that Sydney and Hamilton had also been cancelled.

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Decisions on the remaining six legs have yet to be made.

The postponed Olympic Games will be held from July 24 to August 9, 2021 in Tokyo, and the Blitzboks will compete.

Although the South African Sevens team will only be selected closer to the Olympic Games, and no player in the season’s squad is guaranteed a place, Maritz is excited that he will be part of the national sevens set-up.

“It’s like a dream that became reality. I’ve always watched and followed the sevens and thought it would be a type of playing style that will suit me. I’m blessed with speed and over the years I worked hard to become strong and robust. This will be a great and amazing honour for me to represent my country. It’s something I’ve been dreaming about since I was a little boy,” he said.

Before his new career adventure, Maritz has a tough season at the Phakisa Pumas.

“I really enjoy 15-man rugby. Here at the Phakisa Pumas there is a culture of hard work and perseverance. It will always be a challenge against the bigger unions and that’s why the brothership in this team is so big. We strive for a winning culture on and off the field. I want to know that I have given the Pumas my all and that we played our hearts out every game, walking off the field proud, no matter the out-come. My focus is for now just the Super Rugby Unplugged and Currie cups.”

Maritz does not know when he will don the green and gold of the Blitzboks for the first time. What he does know is that he will join the team in February 2021 and give his all for his country for the duration of his contract.