Powell wants an early blitz
New Springbok Sevens coach Neil Powell will begin his tenure on the Gold Coast this weekend and wants to start on a winning note.
Powell, a former Springbok Sevens captain and World Series winner, succeeds the long serving Paul Treu and is one of nine new coaches at the season-opener in Australia.
South Africa only landed Down Under in the early hours of Friday after weather disrupted their travel, but the team arrived on the Gold Coast with a strong side.
Branco du Preez, Paul Delport and prolific try scorer Seabelo Senatla may all be out injured but veteran Frankie Horne returns after missing the World Cup in Russia. Also, skipper Kyle Brown has had a full pre-season after his action was cut short by an ankle injury last year.
Another forward Chris Dry is one try away from 50 in his international career. The return of several regulars to the squad means that South Africa are one of only two sides at the Gold Coast with no debutants.
The Springbok Sevens’ opponents in Pool B are England, France and Spain.
SA Sevens fixtures – Saturday, October 12
v France (03.14, 01.14 GMT)
v Spain (06.20, 04.20 GMT)
v England (11.02, 09.02 GMT)
Springbok Sevens squad: Chris Dry, Philip Snyman, Frankie Horne, Jamba Ulengo, Cornal Hendricks, Kyle Brown (captain), Sampie Mastriet, Stephan Dippenaar, Justin Geduld, Cecil Afrika, Mark Richards, Steven Hunt.
