Marauders' win gives Schoemann new life
The former Springbok now gets his kicks by coaching the team to success at the Sevens
Dubai : Marauders International's 48-10 win over France Development in the final of the Men's International Invitational Trophy has breathed new life into former South African Sevens player Marius Willems Schoemann, who was forced into early retirement due to a recent head injury.
Schoemann, who spent the last ten years playing Sevens rugby for South Africa and has been on the professional circuit for 13 years, sustained a knock to the head which ended his career and shattered his frontal bones.
He now has two frontal plates and 13 screws in his face and cannot engage in the full-contact game for at least a year.
Making their way
Despite this the former Springbok is getting his kicks in other ways, most notably coaching Marauders to success in the Dubai Rugby Sevens.
Marauders had made their way through the International Men's invitational with a 61-0 win over Enisey STM and a 12-0 win over France Development.
They then went onto win in the quarters 38-7 to Georgian Sevens and 38-14 against the almost entirely Fijian British Army squad in the semis.
Victory in Dubai stands the South African's coaching career in good stead given that he is only in his first year of semi permanent coaching.
Schoemann said, "Coaching is a completely different challenge but it's nice to be working with upcoming youngsters and having the ability to impact on their futures positively."
"I've always known I've got some awesome talent. It was good competition, I'm glad the boys have showcased themselves and I'm certain any of these boys can step up to the international circuit at any time. We'll go back to South Africa now after this tour and most of these lads will join up with the South African outfit ahead of the next leg of the Sevens World Series in New Zealand."
