A Springbok Sevens icon will lead the charge of one of the up-and-coming nations at the 2022 Rugby World Cup Sevens in Cape Town.

Germany’s sevens team, coached by former Blitzbok captain Philip Snyman, qualified for the 40-team tournament at Cape Town Stadium from 9 to 11 September.

In the European sevens qualifier, which took place in Bucharest on Saturday and Sunday, Wales, Germany, Ireland and Portugal secured their pool spots in the men’s draw.

Snyman, who debuted for the Blitzboks in 2008, ended his international career as South Africa’s most successful captain, leading his country to two World Series crowns and a bronze medal at the Rugby World Cup Sevens in 2018.

The 35-year-old is the interim Germany coach and expected to hand over the reins after the showpiece event in Cape Town.

“The team has really shown very good progress in the last six weeks I have been working with them, especially on defence. The energy in the team is good,” Snyman told Netwerk24.

“The first block is ticked off – we qualified for the World Cup in Cape Town.”