Blitzboks include debutant Nabo Sokoyi for Cape Town Sevens

The Springbok Sevens will be hoping that another debutant can have a huge impact at the HSBC SVNS Cape Town this weekend, after including uncapped utility-back Nabo Sokoyi in the squad that will run out at Cape Town Stadium this weekend.

Last year, Blitzbok coach Philip Snyman named Zander Reynders in the Cape Town squad, and it paid dividends as they reclaimed the title last won at the inaugural event in 2015. Reynders has since played in every tournament and will be in the squad again this weekend as they aim to defend their crown in the second round of the season.

The 23-year-old Sokoyi, who was born in Upington and schooled at Grey College in Bloemfontein, will take the place of Mfundo Ndhlovu in the only change to the squad that finished fifth in Dubai a week ago.

Ndhlovu has signed with a United Rugby Championship franchise and will join them in January, which has handed Sokoyi, a former Bulls age-group player, his big opportunity.

Snyman said Ndhlovu’s future plans allowed him to expand playing opportunities to his wider squad, as he builds depth towards the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

“We realise that we will be losing players to fifteens from time to time, and we wish Mfundo well with this new chapter in his career. He has been with us since 2018, and I understand his decision to move on,” said Snyman.

“It also gives an opportunity to the wider group. Nabo played really well in the International Invitational tournament in Dubai last weekend, and I am confident that he will make the step up into the Springbok Sevens. More new players will get similar opportunities in the remainder of the series.”

“Nabo has the talent and ability to become a permanent fixture in the squad, and given his current form, I had the confidence to select him,” Snyman added.

The Blitzboks have been drawn in a tough pool, opening against Dubai winners New Zealand, before facing Fiji, who outplayed them 28–10 last Saturday. Their final pool clash on Saturday is against Great Britain.

The tournament is set to start at 10am, with the Blitzboks first match – against the island nation – at 12.44pm.

Springbok Sevens squad for Cape Town

1 Christie Grobbelaar, 2 Ryan Oosthuizen, 3 Impi Visser (captain), 4 Zain Davids, 5 Ricardo Duarttee, 7 Ronald Brown, 8 Selvyn Davids, 9 Nabo Sokoyi, 12 Shilton van Wyk, 15 Donavan Don, 19 David Brits, 21 Zander Reynders, 24 Tristan Leyds

Blitzboks Cape Town Sevens fixtures

Saturday: v Fiji @ 12.44pm; v New Zealand, 4pm; v Great Britain @ 7.41pm