AUDIO: BlitzBoks call on experienced trio for Las Vegas trip
SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: The BlitzBoks called up three experienced heads ahead of their trip to Los Angeles for the HSBC SVNS World Championship 2025.
The Springbok Sevens’ leading try-scorer for the season, Quewin Nortje, and two-time World Series winners Ronald Brown and Mfundo Ndhlovu will boost the BlitzBoks for the trip to Las Vegas.
The trio have been part of the squad during the regular season where South Africa finished fourth overall, but missed recent tournaments due to injury.
For BlitzBok head coach Philip Snyman, their return boosts the squad in various ways for next weekend’s tournament in Las Vegas.
Nortje missed the tournament in Singapore, Brown’s last appearance was in the Final of the Vancouver tournament and Ndhlovu was part of the all-conquering squad that claimed the South African leg of the series in Cape Town in December.
They replace Donavan Don, Dewald Human and Sebastiaan Jobb.
“Donavan [Don] and Dewald [Human] picked up injuries in Singapore and Sebastiaan [Jobb] is still suspended following his red card in Singapore,” Snyman explained.
“It is great to have those three back, as they all have game-breaking abilities.
“Quewin’s [Nortje] pace and finishing ability out wide is very valuable, while Mfundo’s [Ndhlovu] physicality in the midfield gives us more options on how we want to attack.
“He runs great short lines, which can set up rucks in the midfield, situations where Ronald’s pace off the mark can punish opponents. But individuals aside, it will be a team effort that will bring success or not.”
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Every single BlitzBok in the squad has been part of at least one career HSBC SVNS tournament victory, something Snyman feels can be replicated in the USA.
“This format, with only eight teams competing in two pools, is challenging, but we have beaten France, Great Britain and Argentina before this year, so I am confident that we will progress to the semifinals on day two.”
The BlitzBok coach said he has some game plans ready for the pool matches: “We have a variety of combinations available, and I am looking at the best ones for each opponent.
“We had a poor match in our last outing against Great Britain, France remains a very competitive team and Argentina have just won the series, so it will be challenging.
“Our record in the once-off tournaments has been good though and I know we leave Cape Town on Sunday well-prepared and determined to finish the season with a performance that everyone can be proud of.”
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Pool A fixtures
Saturday, May 3
BlitzBoks v France
Sunday 4 May
BlitzBoks v Great Britain
BlitzBoks v Argentina
Springbok Sevens squad for Los Angeles: Ryan Oosthuizen, Impi Visser, Zain Davids, Ricardo Duarttee, Ronald Brown, Selvyn Davids, Siviwe Soyizwapi, Shilton van Wyk, Mfundo Ndhlovu, Quewin Nortje, David Brits, Zander Reynders, Tristan Leyds.
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