adminIn one of the two changes to the team that finished third in Hong Kong last weekend, Afrika was replaced by Renfred Dazel who will now play sweeper in Tokyo.
Newcomer Dirk Dippenaar will make his South African debut in place of Bernado Botha. The latter is on standby for Paul Delport, who must first pass a fitness test today.
Springbok Sevens coach Paul Treu said his team will do their best to capitalise on the positive aspects of their matches against Samoa and England, whom they beat in the quarter-finals and third place play-off respectively in Hong Kong.
He described the performances of Cornal Hendricks and Pieter Engelbrecht as two of the most pleasing aspects of Hong Kong.
He hopes they will be able to maintain that level of consistency: “Cornal took a while to settle after his move from the Absa Currie Cup First Division, but he is coming along nicely now. He has a great work ethic, his understanding of the finer detail of Sevens is getting better all the time and he easily had his best tournament last week.
Treu described the loss of Afrika as a huge blow, but he is confident his charges will rise to the challenge in Tokyo.
South Africa, who finished third in Hong Kong, headed the draw in Pool D, where they will face Samoa, Scotland and Portugal. — Sport24.
Online Reporter