Angelo Davids wants to be the Blitzboks’ new hotstepper.
With ex-superstars Seabelo Senatla and Rosko Specman now playing XVs rugby, the 19-year-old Davids is hoping to follow in his heroes’ footsteps by scoring lots of tries in the Green and Gold.
The former Stellenberg High School pupil was supposed to make his debut at the Hong Kong tournament last year, but was ruled out because of an ankle injury.
Of missing that event, he says: “I missed out and it hurt, but unfortunately I had an ankle injury and could not play - since then, I have been dreaming of my next opportunity.”
Ironically his next opportunity came when Muller du Plessis pulled out of the squad with a leg injury.
HERO: Ex-Blitzbok flyer Rosko Specman. Photo: Phandulwazi Jikelo/ANA.
And now Davids wants to show what he is capable of.
He says: “I did not quite expect the call-up to Hong Kong, especially since the guys did so well in Vancouver.
“It is never nice to cover for an injury, but these things happen in rugby.”
Of being likened to Specman and Senatla, Davids says: “If I can contribute the way they did, with their speed and feet, I will be very happy.
“In the end though, I need to be Angelo Davids, not a copy of someone else. I am very keen to go out and contribute.”