South Africa national rugby union team (sevens)

South Africa

Union

South African Rugby Union

Nickname(s)

Blitzbokke

Emblem(s)

The Springbok and the Protea

Coach(es)

Neil Powell

Captain(s)

Kyle Brown

Team kit

Change kit

World Cup Sevens

Appearances

6 (First in 1993)

Best result

Runners-up, 1997

The South African national rugby union sevens team compete in the IRB Sevens World Series, the Rugby World Cup Sevens and the Commonwealth Games.

History

After readmission to international sport, the team played their first ever sevens series in the 1993 Hong Kong Sevens and also participated in the 1993 Rugby World Cup Sevens. They also played in the Hong Kong Sevens for the next two seasons. In 1996, they also took part in the Punta Del Este Sevens in Uruguay and the Dubai Sevens.

They participated in the 1997 Rugby World Cup Sevens the following year and in 1998, they played three South American tournaments – the Mar Del Plata Sevens in Argentina, the Punta Del Este Sevens and the Viña del Mar Sevens in Chile.

1999 saw them participate in the Mar Del Plata Sevens, the Santiago Sevens in Chile, the Fiji Sevens, the Hong Kong Sevens, the Japan Sevens and the Paris Sevens.

At the end of 1999, the first IRB Sevens World Series started and the team have been participating in that series ever since.

In addition to the Sevens World Series, they also played in the Rugby World Cup Sevens, the Commonwealth Games, the World Games and, from 2016 onwards, the Olympic Games.

Players

For a complete list of every player to have represented the Blitzbokke, see List of South Africa national rugby union (sevens) players.

Current squad

The following players were named in the squad for the 2014–15 IRB Sevens World Series:^[1]^[2]^[3]^[4]

Previous squads

The previous South African Sevens squads are as follows:

Squads

S.A. Sevens – 2014 Commonwealth Games

Squad	Cecil Afrika Kyle Brown Chris Dry Branco du Preez Justin Geduld Cornal Hendricks Frankie Horne Werner Kok Mark Richards Seabelo Senatla Kwagga Smith Warren Whiteley

Coach	Neil Powell

S.A. Sevens – 2013–14 IRB Sevens World Series

Squad	Shaun Adendorff Cecil Afrika Kyle Brown Stephan Dippenaar Chris Dry Branco du Preez Justin Geduld Cornal Hendricks Frankie Horne Steven Hunt Werner Kok Cheslin Kolbe Sampie Mastriet Mark Richards Seabelo Senatla Kwagga Smith Philip Snyman Rosko Specman WJ Strydom Jamba Ulengo

Coach	Neil Powell

S.A. Sevens – 2013 World Games

Squad	Bernado Botha Kyle Brown Stephan Dippenaar Cornal Hendricks Steven Hunt Ruwellyn Isbell Reuben Johannes Werner Kok Mark Richards Seabelo Senatla WJ Strydom Jamba Ulengo

Coach	Neil Powell / Vuyo Zangqa

S.A. Sevens – 2013 Rugby World Cup Sevens

Squad	Cecil Afrika Rayno Benjamin Kyle Brown Stephan Dippenaar Chris Dry Branco du Preez Cornal Hendricks Cheslin Kolbe Sampie Mastriet Seabelo Senatla S'bura Sithole Philip Snyman

Coach	Paul Treu

S.A. Sevens – 2012–13 IRB Sevens World Series

Squad	Cecil Afrika Bernado Botha Kyle Brown Paul Delport Stephan Dippenaar Chris Dry Branco du Preez Pieter Engelbrecht Justin Geduld Cornal Hendricks Frankie Horne Steven Hunt Ruwellyn Isbell Reuben Johannes Werner Kok Cheslin Kolbe Kevin Luiters Tsotsho Mbovane Seabelo Senatla Philip Snyman WJ Strydom Jamba Ulengo Warren Whiteley

Coach	Paul Treu

S.A. Sevens – 2011–12 IRB Sevens World Series

Squad	Cecil Afrika Clayton Blommetjies Bernado Botha Kyle Brown Phillip Burger Paul Delport Dirk Dippenaar Stephan Dippenaar Chris Dry Branco du Preez Robert Ebersohn Pieter Engelbrecht Cornal Hendricks Frankie Horne Steven Hunt Cheslin Kolbe Chase Minnaar Ryan Nell Neil Powell Boom Prinsloo Mark Richards William Small-Smith Jamba Ulengo

Coach	Paul Treu

S.A. Sevens – 2010–11 IRB Sevens World Series

Squad	Cecil Afrika Bernado Botha Kyle Brown Renfred Dazel Chris Dry Branco du Preez Jacques Engelbrecht Pieter Engelbrecht Frankie Horne Steven Hunt Paul Jordaan Tshotsho Mbovane MJ Mentz Tera Mtembu Neil Powell Boom Prinsloo Mark Richards S'bura Sithole William Small-Smith

Coach	Paul Treu

S.A. Sevens – 2010 Commonwealth Games

Squad	Cecil Afrika Rayno Benjamin Bernado Botha Renfred Dazel Paul Delport Okkie Kruger MJ Mentz Chase Minnaar Tera Mtembu Neil Powell Boom Prinsloo S'bura Sithole

Coach	Paul Treu

S.A. Sevens – 2009–10 IRB Sevens World Series

Squad	Cecil Afrika Rayno Benjamin Kyle Brown Renfred Dazel Paul Delport Chris Dry Branco du Preez Deon Helberg Frankie Horne Steven Hunt JW Jonker Fabian Juries Hoffman Maritz Sampie Mastriet Mpho Mbiyozo MJ Mentz Chase Minnaar Neil Powell Marius Schoeman Mzwandile Stick Phillip van der Walt Shaun Venter

Coach	Paul Treu

S.A. Sevens – 2009 World Games

Squad	Cecil Afrika Rayno Benjamin Kyle Brown Renfred Dazel Paul Delport Frankie Horne Mpho Mbiyozo Chase Minnaar Neil Powell Marius Schoeman Philip Snyman Mzwandile Stick

Coach	Paul Treu

S.A. Sevens – 2009 Rugby World Cup Sevens

Squad	Gio Aplon Rayno Benjamin Kyle Brown Renfred Dazel Paul Delport Robert Ebersohn Frankie Horne Lionel Mapoe Mpho Mbiyozo Neil Powell Philip Snyman Vuyo Zangqa

Coach	Paul Treu

S.A. Sevens – 2008–09 IRB Sevens World Series

Squad	Gio Aplon Rayno Benjamin Kyle Brown Renfred Dazel Paul Delport Robert Ebersohn Frankie Horne Lionel Mapoe Mpho Mbiyozo Chase Minnaar Howard Noble Milo Nqoro Neil Powell Marius Schoeman Philip Snyman Mzwandile Stick Vuyo Zangqa

Coach	Paul Treu

S.A. Sevens – 2007–08 IRB Sevens World Series

Squad	Gio Aplon Stefan Basson Renfred Dazel Juan de Jongh Danwel Demas Robert Ebersohn Kabamba Floors Frankie Horne Fabian Juries Mpho Mbiyozo Baldwin McBean Thobela Mdaka MJ Mentz Jonathan Mokuena Norman Nelson Wilton Pietersen Neil Powell Marius Schoeman Mzwandile Stick Schalk van der Merwe Vuyo Zangqa

Coach	Paul Treu

S.A. Sevens – 2006–07 IRB Sevens World Series

Squad	Gio Aplon Stefan Basson Rayno Benjamin Jandré Blom Gcobani Bobo Jovan Bowles Phillip Burger Renfred Dazel Danwel Demas Kabamba Floors Deon Fourie Shandre Frolick Mpho Mbiyozo Baldwin McBean Thobela Mdaka MJ Mentz Jonathan Mokuena Dusty Noble Howard Noble Grant Rees Marius Schoeman Mzwandile Stick Andries Strauss Schalk van der Merwe Antonius Verhoeven Vuyo Zangqa

Coach	Paul Treu

S.A. Sevens – 2006 Commonwealth Games

Squad	Stefan Basson Phillip Burger Renfred Dazel Danwel Demas Fabian Juries Ryan Kankowski Thobela Mdaka Zolani Mofu Jonathan Mokuena Jaco Pretorius Mzwandile Stick Schalk van der Merwe Antonius Verhoeven

Coach	Paul Treu

S.A. Sevens – 2005–06 World Sevens Series

Squad	Gio Aplon Stefan Basson Rayno Benjamin Jandré Blom Heinrich Brüssow Phillip Burger Renfred Dazel Paul Delport Danwel Demas Kabamba Floors Lesley Jackson Fabian Juries Ryan Kankowski Thobela Mdaka Zolani Mofu Jonathan Mokuena Sarel Potgieter Jaco Pretorius Izak Saayman Egon Seconds Mzwandile Stick Schalk van der Merwe Antonius Verhoeven

Coach	Paul Treu

S.A. Sevens – 2005 World Games

Squad	Stefan Basson Rayno Benjamin Renfred Dazel Danwel Demas Fabian Juries Thobela Mdaka Zolani Mofu Jonathan Mokuena Marius Schoeman Mzwandile Stick Schalk van der Merwe

Coach	Paul Treu

S.A. Sevens – 2005 Rugby World Cup Sevens

Squad	Stefan Basson Danwel Demas Eddie Fredericks Lesley Jackson Fabian Juries Gareth Krause Thobela Mdaka Jaco Pretorius Marius Schoeman Mzwandile Stick Schalk van der Merwe Jano Vermaak

Coach	Paul Treu

S.A. Sevens – 2004–05 World Sevens Series

Squad	Bennie Adams Stefan Basson Rayno Benjamin Ossie Damons Marc de Marigny Danwel Demas Eddie Fredericks Shandre Frolick Dale Heidtmann Lesley Jackson Fabian Juries Gareth Krause Derick Kuün Thobela Mdaka Jonathan Mokuena Jongi Nokwe Joe Pietersen Anton Pitout Jaco Pretorius Marius Schoeman Oginga Siwundla Mzwandile Stick Schalk van der Merwe Wayne van Heerden José van Rensburg Jaco van Schalkwyk Jano Vermaak

Coach	Paul Treu

S.A. Sevens – 2003–04 World Sevens Series

Squad	Bennie Adams Stefan Basson Tonderai Chavhanga Paul Delport Marc de Marigny Danwel Demas Nicolas Eyre Kabamba Floors Kevin Foote Eugene Francis Bryan Habana Dale Heidtmann Fabian Juries Akona Ndungane Earl Rose Brent Russell Marius Schoeman Mzwandile Stick Wayne van Heerden José van Rensburg Jaco van Schalkwyk

Coach	Vlok Cilliers / Paul Treu

S.A. Sevens – 2002–03 World Sevens Series

Squad	Alshaun Bock Helgard Brink Darryl Coeries Rudi Coetzee Marc de Marigny Malan du Plessis Grant Esterhuizen Nicolas Eyre Ian Fihlani Kevin Foote Eugene Francis Hannru Haupt Alten Hulme Conrad Jantjes Fabian Juries Jorrie Müller Neil Powell Jaco Pretorius Earl Rose Brent Russell Marius Schoeman Rodger Smith Paul Treu Leon van der Heever José van Rensburg Jaco van Schalkwyk

Coach	Chester Williams

S.A. Sevens – 2002 Commonwealth Games

Squad	Jean de Villiers Gaffie du Toit Dale Heidtmann Conrad Jantjes Fabian Juries Jorrie Müller Anton Pitout Neil Powell Marius Schoeman Egon Seconds Paul Treu Wayne van Heerden Luke Watson

Coach	Chester Williams

S.A. Sevens – 2001–02 World Sevens Series

Squad	Helgard Brink Gerrie Britz Jean de Villiers Ian Fihlani Josh Fowles Eugene Francis Dale Heidtmann Fabian Juries Mac Masina Thobela Mdaka Jorrie Müller Anton Pitout Neil Powell Brent Russell Marius Schoeman Egon Seconds Paul Treu Wayne van Heerden Jan-Harm van Wyk Antonius Verhoeven Ashwin Willemse

Coach	Chester Williams

S.A. Sevens – 2001 Rugby World Cup Sevens

Squad	Helgard Brink Warren Britz Ricardo Loubscher Breyton Paulse André Pretorius Bobby Skinstad Rodger Smith Paul Treu Wayne van Heerden Chester Williams

Coach	Norman Mbiko

S.A. Sevens – 2000–01 World Sevens Series

Squad	Nico Alberts Gcobani Bobo Helgard Brink Johan Calitz Gerrie Engelbrecht Ian Fihlani Andries Fourie Dale Heidtmann Barry Jacobsz Conrad Jantjes Fabian Juries Mac Masina Thobela Mdaka Herman Mostert Jorrie Müller Jacques Olivier Daniel Philander André Pretorius Marius Schoeman Dirkie Strydom Paul Treu Wayne van Heerden Joe van Niekerk

Coach	Norman Mbiko

S.A. Sevens – 1999–2000 World Sevens Series

Squad	Gcobani Bobo Helgard Brink Warren Britz Johan Calitz Bolla Conradie Gerrie Engelbrecht Andries Fourie Eddie Fredericks Juan Houtshamer Wylie Human Adi Jacobs Conrad Jantjes Wonga Joka Ricardo Loubscher Mac Masina Thobela Mdaka Herman Mostert Jacques Olivier Patrick Petersen Rodger Smith Jeffrey Stevens Dirkie Strydom Paul Treu Hannes Venter

Coach	Norman Mbiko

S.A. Sevens – 1999

Squad	Graeme Bouwer Helgard Brink Warren Britz Johan Calitz Fielies Coetzee Archer Dames Andries Fourie Eddie Fredericks Daniel Grobler Chris Kruger Ricardo Loubscher Herman Mostert Wayne Munn Jacques Olivier Ashwell Rafferty Rodger Smith Jeffrey Stevens Dirkie Strydom Paul Treu Hannes Venter Eben Verster

Coach	Deon Oosthuysen

S.A. Sevens – 1998 Commonwealth Games

Squad	Gaffie du Toit Joe Gillingham Deon Kayser Werner Raats Pieter Rossouw Bobby Skinstad Jeffrey Stevens André Venter Chester Williams Russell Winter

Coach	Dawie Snyman

S.A. Sevens – 1998

Squad	Peet Arnold Selborne Boome Graeme Bouwer Stephen Brink Vlok Cilliers JP du Plooy Hendrik Gerber Joe Gillingham Deon Kayser Chris Kruger Jorrie Kruger Breyton Paulse Shaun Payne Neil Penrose Werner Raats Philip Smit Rodger Smith Dirkie Stydom Jan-Harm van Wyk AJ Venter Nico Venter Chester Williams Russell Winter

Coach	Dawie Snyman

S.A. Sevens – 1997 Rugby World Cup Sevens

Squad	Graeme Bouwer Stephen Brink Jacques Olivier Shaun Payne Pieter Rossouw Bobby Skinstad André Snyman Jeffrey Stevens Joost van der Westhuizen André Venter

Coach	Dawie Snyman

S.A. Sevens – 1996

Squad	Chelton April Peet Arnold Chris Badenhorst Graeme Bouwer Janneman Brand Coenraad Breytenbach Stephen Brink Vlok Cilliers Jannie Claassens Jorrie Kruger Dion O'Cuinneagain Breyton Paulse Abrie Pretorius Pieter Rossouw Bobby Skinstad Jeffrey Stevens Dirkie Strydom Riaan van Zyl André Venter Nigel Witbooi

Coach	Dawie Snyman / Nelie Smith

S.A. Sevens – 1995 Hong Kong Sevens

Squad	Jacques Jonker Dieter Kriese Tony Markow Dick Muir Dion O'Cuinneagain Shaun Payne John Plumtree Riaan Potgieter Kevin Putt Luke Smith

Coach	Dawie Snyman

S.A. Sevens – 1994 Hong Kong Sevens

Squad	Vlok Cilliers Chris Dirks Henry Honiball André Joubert Ruben Kruger John Plumtree Adriaan Richter Hendrik Truter Joost van der Westhuizen Chester Williams

Coach	Gysie Pienaar

S.A. Sevens – 1993 Rugby World Cup Sevens

Squad	Chris Badenhorst Jannie Claassens André Joubert Dieter Kriese Ruben Kruger Dick Muir Dion O'Cuinneagain Jacques Olivier Joost van der Westhuizen Chester Williams

Coach	Gysie Pienaar

S.A. Sevens – 1993 Hong Kong Sevens

Squad	Chris Badenhorst Vlok Cilliers Jannie Claassens André Joubert Dieter Kriese Ruben Kruger Dion O'Cuinneagain Jacques Olivier Hugh Reece-Edwards Joost van der Westhuizen

Coach	Gysie Pienaar

Rugby union at the Commonwealth Games

Games	Gold	Silver	Bronze
1998 Kuala Lumpur	New Zealand	Fiji	Australia
2002 Manchester	New Zealand	Fiji	South Africa
2006 Melbourne	New Zealand	England	Fiji
2010 New Delhi	New Zealand	Australia	South Africa
2014 Glasgow	South Africa	New Zealand	Australia

Rugby union at the World Games

Games	Gold	Silver	Bronze
2001 Akita^[5]	Fiji	Australia	New Zealand
2005 Duisburg	Fiji	South Africa	Argentina
2009 Kaohsiung^[6]	Fiji	Portugal	South Africa
2013 Cali^[7]	South Africa	Argentina	Canada

Honours

Commonwealth Games Bronze Medal 2002
World Games Silver Medal 2005
World Games Bronze Medal 2009
2008–09 IRB Sevens World Series Champions
Commonwealth Games Bronze Medal 2010
Commonwealth Games Gold Medal 2014

Win summaries

Event	Venue	Cup			Plate	Bowl	Shield
Event	Venue	Winner	Final Score	Runner-up	Winner	Winner	Winner
2013 South Africa Sevens	Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium	South Africa	17 – 14	New Zealand	Fiji	England	Scotland
2013 Scotland Sevens	Scotstoun Stadium	South Africa	28 – 21	New Zealand	United States	Australia	France
2013 Japan Sevens	Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium	South Africa	24 – 19	New Zealand	United States	England	Canada
2013 USA Sevens	Sam Boyd Stadium	South Africa	40 – 21	New Zealand	Canada	France	Australia
2011 London Sevens	Twickenham Stadium	South Africa	24 – 14	Fiji	Samoa	Scotland	England
2009 Adelaide Sevens	Adelaide Oval	South Africa	26 – 7	Kenya	England	Samoa	United States
2008 South Africa Sevens	Outeniqua Park	South Africa	12 – 7	New Zealand	England	France	Zimbabwe
2008 Dubai Sevens	The Sevens	South Africa	19 – 12	England	Samoa	Portugal	United States
2008 Adelaide Sevens	Adelaide Oval	South Africa	15 – 7	New Zealand	Tonga	Argentina	Wales
2006 Dubai Sevens	Dubai Exiles Rugby Ground	South Africa	31 – 12	New Zealand	Samoa	Argentina	Wales

References

↑ "Springbok Sevens name one debutant for Gold Coast challenge". South African Rugby Union. 2 October 2014. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
↑ "Several regulars return to Blitzboks fold for Dubai, PE". South African Rugby Union. 27 November 2014. Retrieved 27 November 2014.
↑ "2015 South Africa Wellington Sevens tournament". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
↑ "Springbok Sevens call up Specman for injured Geduld". South African Rugby Union. 9 February 2015. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
↑ "Rugby: Rugby 7s". The World Games. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
↑ "World Games Day 2: Fiji cruise to Gold Medal". Ultimate Rugby Sevens. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
↑ "2013 World Games rugby results". Retrieved 7 January 2014.

National rugby union teams (sevens)

IRB Sevens core teams	Argentina Australia Canada England Fiji France Japan Kenya New Zealand Portugal Samoa Scotland South Africa United States Wales

Other teams (Tier 1 & 2 nations in bold)	Andorra Austria Bahamas Bahrain Barbados Belgium Bosnia and Herzegovina Brazil Brunei Cayman Islands Chile PRC Chinese Taipei/Taiwan Cook Islands Côte d'Ivoire Croatia Czech Republic Denmark Finland Georgia Germany Guam Guyana Hong Kong Hungary India Indonesia Iran Israel Italy Jamaica Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Latvia Lithuania Luxembourg Madagascar Malaysia Mexico Moldova Monaco Montenegro Morocco Namibia Netherlands New Caledonia Niue Norway Pakistan Papua New Guinea Philippines Poland Qatar Romania Russia Rwanda Serbia Singapore Solomon Islands South Korea Spain Sri Lanka Swaziland Sweden Swaziland Switzerland Tahiti Thailand Tokelau Tonga Trinidad & Tobago Tunisia Tuvalu Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Wallis and Futuna West Indies Zambia Zimbabwe

Defunct	Arabian Gulf Czechoslovakia East Germany Ireland West Germany USSR Yugoslavia

International rugby union competitions

Worldwide

Men	World Cup World Cup Sevens U20 World Championship U20 Trophy Sevens World Series

Women	World Cup Sevens World Cup Sevens Series

Multi-sport events

Intercontinental

Nations Cup
Women's Nations Cup
Pacific Nations Cup
Pacific Rugby Challenge
Tbilisi Cup
The Rugby Championship
Serendib International Cup

Continental

Africa	Africa Cup African Development Trophy

Asia	Asian Rugby Championship Asian Sevens Series

Europe	Six Nations European Nations Cup Women's Six Nations Under-20 Six Nations Under-18 Championship

Oceania	FORU Oceania Cup Oceania U20 Championship

Americas	South American Rugby Championship Americas Rugby Championship NACRA Rugby Championship

Defunct

Sevens World Series

Seasons	1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10 2010–11 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 2014–15 2015–16

2014–15 events	Australia Dubai Hong Kong Japan London New Zealand Scotland South Africa USA

Former events	Beijing Cardiff Kuala Lumpur Mar del Plata France Punta del Este Shanghai Singapore Suva

Current stadiums	Cbus Super Stadium The Sevens Hong Kong Stadium Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium Twickenham Westpac Stadium Scotstoun Stadium Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium Sam Boyd Stadium

Rugby union in South Africa

Governing body

South African Rugby Union

National teams

Men's	Springboks Emerging Springboks 7's Amateurs U-21 U-20 U-19 Schoolboys

Women's	Women's 7's

Competitions

International	South Africa at the Rugby World Cup IRB Sevens World Series South Africa Sevens World Rugby Under 20 Championship Super Rugby

Provincial	Currie Cup Vodacom Cup

Club	SARU Community Cup Varsity Rugby

Youth rugby	Craven Week

National sports teams of South Africa

Association football M F Australian football Badminton Baseball Basketball M F Netball Cricket M F Field hockey M F Handball M F Ice hockey M F M U/20 M U/18 Korfball Roller hockey M F Rugby League Rugby Union M F Sevens Beach soccer Squash M F Tennis M F Water polo M F