Rugby Africa is in the process of organising an African Sevens tournament which will serve as trials for this year’s Olympic Games in Tokyo.
With the Blitzboks back in full training at the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport this week, SA Rugby on Wednesday released a statement reading: “Plans are afoot for a tournament where the Blitzboks and SA Rugby Sevens Academy squad will be playing against Kenya, Uganda, and Zimbabwe on consecutive weekends at Markotter Stadium next month.”
Blitzboks coach Neil Powell, who will use the tournaments as trials for the Olympic Games squad, says: “We are extremely grateful for these tournaments, organised by Rugby Africa...
“We missed playing in Madrid and Dubai as originally planned due to travel restrictions, but did have matches against the SAS Sevens Academy and the SA All Stars Academy from Pretoria.
“While we appreciated that, we need some international opposition as well, to encounter as many different playing styles from opposing teams, and these three will offer that.”
“Any players who are not involved in the two tournaments, will not be considered for the Olympics.
“We hoped to have some players from outside the current squad available for this training block, but if they are not here to play, they will not be considered for selection.”