The Blitzboks will go out to break a three-year drought at the Cape Town Sevens this weekend.
After winning the inaugural event at Cape Town Stadium in 2015, South Africa lost to England in the final of 2016 before walking away with bronze in 2017 and 2018.
Having won the Dubai Sevens last weekend, coach Neil Powell’s men have momentum on their side heading into this weekend.
But there will be a few manne that will look to disappoint them and the passionate Cape Town fans.
Here we look at the stars that will light up the Mother City this weekend.
HOMETOWN FAVOURITE: Seabelo Senatla. Picture: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix.
Rosko Specman (SA)
Seabelo Senatla is a hometown favourite and as the leading try-scorer for the national team, he will certainly be one to watch.
Specman, though, is the man in form after being the only South African to make the Dubai Dream Team.
Difficult to catch, Specman has superb footwork, great vision and anticipation.
If SA want to break their drought, they will need a bit of Specmagic.
%%%twitter https://twitter.com/HSBC_Sport?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HSBC_Sport #WorldRugbyAwards pic.twitter.com/cDHSYyZVUh
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s)
Jerry Tuwai (Fiji)
For a number of years now Tuwai has been the golden boy of Fiji Sevens.
Blessed with an ankle-breaking sidestep, Tuwai is the holder of the World Sevens Player of the Year title.
And after his Fiji side failed to make the Dubai quarters, they will look to their little magician for moments of magic in a tough Pool A alongside South Africa and USA.
SPEEDSTER: United States' Stephen Tomasin. Picture: Darryl Dyck/AP.
Stephen Tomasin (United States of America)
The names of Perry Baker and Carlin Isles are well known on the Sevens circuit.
Out wide, the duo will undoubtedly use their speed to score tries for the US.
Then they also have playmaker Folau Niua, but the one to watch will be Stephen Tomasin.
The youngster is a hard-worker that simply can’t stop scoring tries.
And with the more experienced stars mentioned above alongside him, Tomasin will be a threat to SA and Fiji in Pool A.
HEARTBEAT: Scott Curry, right. Picture: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix.
Scott Curry (New Zealand)
While not exactly a points-machine, captain Scott Curry is the heartbeat of the New Zealand team.
It is expected of him to grind up front for the likes of current New Zealand Sevens Player of the Year Tone Ng Shiu and points machine Andrew Knewstubb to run wild.
Despite making the final of the Dubai event last weekend, Curry was the only Kiwi that made it into the Dream Team.
SUPERSTAR: Dan Norton. Picture: Kamran Jebreili/AP.
Dan Norton (England)
Dan Bibby was the star of the show for England in Dubai, but it’s another Dan that will once again light up Cape Town Stadium.
That is Dan Norton – evergreen England superstar who has been around for what seems like forever.
One of the most experienced players at the tournament, the 31-year -old is showing no signs of slowing down and reached speeds of up to 37km/h with ball in hand last season.
FANCY FOOTWORK: Maurice Longbottom must not be given any space. Picture: Craig Golding/EPA.
Maurice Longbottom (Australia)
This is one man opponents can’t afford to give any space when they come up against Australia.
Great footwork, good vision and his ability to create something out of nothing makes him Australia’s biggest threat.
%%%twitter https://twitter.com/manusamoa?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@manusamoa's captain Tomasi Alosio after his sides impressive victory over Australia in the cup quarter-final #Dubai7s pic.twitter.com/ocqPJMnKDZ
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s)
Tomasi Alosio (Samoa)
Alosio is a strong runner with a great offload.
He is not only dangerous with ball in hand, but has the ability to slow down opposition ball possession as well.
%%%twitter https://twitter.com/CityofCT?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CityofCTis ready and looking forward to hosting the #CapeTown7s. The Mother City welcomes all the teams, spectators, crews and visitors at large to Cape Town. pic.twitter.com/TSXFQq2JXf
— HSBC Cape Town 7s (@CapeTown7s)
Cape Town Sevens Blitzboks fixtures:
Friday
- 4.37pm: Australia v Ireland
- 4.59pm: Samoa v Kenya
- 5.21pm: France v Spain
- 5.43pm: England v Scotland
- 6.35pm: Argentina v Canada
- 7.05pm: New Zealand v Wales
- 7.35pm: USA v Fiji
- 8.03pm: South Africa v Japan
SA Women’s Sevens fixtures:
Friday
- 3.50pm: v New Zealand
Saturday
- 10.13am: Russia
- 4.13pm: Fiji
Cape Town Sevens Blitzboks fixtures:
Saturday
- 10.57am: Australia v Kenya
- 11.19am: Samoa v Ireland
- 12.01pm: France v Scotland
- 12.23pm: England v Spain
- 12.45pm: Argentina v Wales
- 1.07pm: New Zealand v Canada
- 1.29pm: USA v Japan
- 1.51pm: SA v Fiji
- 4.47pm: Ireland v Kenya
- 5.09pm: Samoa v Australia
- 5.51pm: Spain v Scotland
- 6.13pm: England v France
- 6.35pm: Canada v Wales
- 7.05pm: NZ v Argentina
- 7.35pm: Fiji v Japan
- 8.03pm: SA v USA