Sandile Ngcobo heeds Bok Sevens call-up
JOBURG – SA Sevens Academy winger, Sandile Ngcobo answers Bok Sevens call and will replace injured Selvyn Davids for Singapore Sevens assignment.
The Blitzbokke were third time losing finalists at the Hong Kong Sevens following a 22–0 loss to Fiji, a record the team will shy away from as the monkey of Asia keeps its stranglehold on the team.
The team’s exploits in Hong Kong – the seventh stop in the HSBC World Rugby Series – was, however, not free of injury concerns as Blitzboks newbie, Selvyn Davids, sustained an unwelcome ankle injury in his first match out. This has forced Springbok Sevens coach, Neil Powell, to call up South African Sevens Academy winger, Sandile Ngcobo.
Ngcobo will fill in the replacement role going into the Singapore Sevens to be played at the Singapore National Stadium this weekend (15 to 17 April).
Read:Powell pleased with Hong Kong performance despite Blitzboks shortcomings
Although Davids, who made his debut in Hong Kong in the sweeper role, was replaced by the travelling reserve, Ryan Oosthuizen, for the Cup final against Fiji, Powell has opted for another backline player as a replacement. “It is a pity that Selvyn picked up an injury as he showed good touches in Hong Kong, but injuries are part of rugby, something we are pretty aware of at the moment,” Powell said.
Rosko Specman, Kyle Brown, Stephan Dippenaar, Justin Geduld, Carel du Preez and now Davids are all nursing injuries, while stalwarts Kwagga Smith and Seabelo Senatla are playing in the Super Rugby competition. “We are replacing a backline player with another one, so Sandile was the obvious call,” explained Powell. “He also joined us in Vancouver following the injury to Stephan Dippenaar, so is no stranger to our system. Ryan will remain the back-up, but as he saw in Hong Kong, could be called upon at any time.”
The Blitzboks will contest Pool B alongside England, France and Japan. They are 23 points ahead of Fiji on the overall log with tournaments in Singapore, Paris and London remaining.
