Ebersohn back for World Series opener
Promising Free State Cheetahs centre Robert Ebersohn makes a welcome return to the Springbok team after a two-year absence, having helped the Blitzbokke to capture the IRB Sevens World Series in 2009.
The Free Stater was on Friday included in a 14-man Bok squad travelling squad for the first three rounds of the Series, which kicks-off on November 25 and 26 at the Gold Coast in Brisbane and will be followed by tournaments in Dubai and Nelson Mandela Bay, Port Elizabeth, on consecutive weekends.
Ebersohn has since joined the Cheetahs to play Currie Cup and Super Rugby, but he gladly accepted an invitation from Paul Treu, the Springbok Sevens coach, to temporarily return to the abbreviated version of the game until the end of this year.
He is one of several familiar faces returning to the Springbok Sevens fold for the tough opening stanza of the new season.
Chase Minnaar is fit again and looking forward to establish himself as a regular after he missed the bulk of last season because of an injury sustained whilst riding a motorcycle.
Veteran attacker Renfred Dazel has shrugged off his knee problems which restricted his game time for much of 2011 and his availability will add much needed experience to the backline.
There is also a return to the national Sevens team for Sharks player Mark Richards, who made his international debut in 2010 in Dubai.
Newly signed Stephan Dippenaar sustained an ankle injury in a training match against the Maties on Wednesday and was therefore not selected, while 19-year-old William Small-Smith got the nod again after he impressed during his first two tournaments in England and Scotland at the end of the previous season.
IRB Sevens Player of the Year, Cecil Afrika, who is recovering from a broken cheekbone, was included in the travelling party but he will not be part of the final squad of 12 for the Gold Coast.
Paul Treu, Springbok Sevens coach, said his squad will fine-tune their preparations during the remaining two weeks before the 2011/12 kick-off in Australia.
“We played less training matches this time compared to previous years, but we will fine-tune our preparations over the next two weeks so that we are ready and fully prepared for the first tournament,” explained Treu.
The Boks depart for Brisbane next Friday, November 18.
South Africa: Chris Dry, Kyle Brown (captain), Frankie Horne, Boom Prinsloo, Chase Minnaar, Paul Delport, Renfred Dazel, Mark Richards, Steven Hunt, Bernado Botha, Robert Ebersohn, William Small-Smith, Cecil Afrika, Branco du Preez.
