Dubai: Defending champions South Africa are looking to equal New Zealand’s record five Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens titles at this years tournament at the Sevens Stadium from December 3-5.
The Blitzboks beat Australia 33-7 in last year’s final to record their fourth Dubai win and went onto finish second in the overall HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series standings behind Fiji.
They are now aiming to replicate that in the first round of this year’s 10-stage series in just a few weeks time.
And with the 2016 Olympic Games on the horizon, the squad will be bolstered by recent Rugby World Cup 15s stars Bryan Habana, Damian de Allende and Lwazi Mvovo, who are converting to sevens in order to pursue their Olympic dream. Fellow Springboks Francois Hougaard and Ryan Kankowski have also signed sevens contracts for this season.
South Africa sevens coach Neil Powell said: “The Dubai Sevens is important because it’s the first tournament of the World Series and everybody wants to make a good start. We have a good record and have done well here in the past,” he added of South Africa’s four wins and five final appearances, where they lost once to Fiji 29-17 in 2013 before going on to rectify that against Australia last year.
“However, each tournament is different and has its own challenges,” he added. “So we will have to make sure we come thoroughly prepared and ready to give our best.
“The new expanded Series and the Olympic Games next year means that this is a crucial year, and whilst we acknowledge that, our focus will be very much to take it one tournament at a time. The atmosphere in Dubai is always great and we are looking forward to another exciting tournament.”
South Africa sevens’ training squad is as follows: Cecil Afrika, Tim Agaba, Ryno Benjamin, Kyle Brown, Branco du Preez, Carel du Preez, Damian de Allende, Stephan Dippenaar, Chris Dry, Juan de Jongh, Justin Geduld, Warrick Gelant, Lungelo Gosa, Bryan Habana, Cornal Hendricks, Francois Hougaard, Frankie Horne, Dewald Human, Ryan Kankowski, Werner Kok, Cheslin Kolbe, Jaco Kriel, Oupa Mohoje, Lwazi Mvovo, Sibahle Maxwane, Ruhan Nel, Sandile Ngcobo, Sphamandla Ngcobo, Seabelo Senatla, Philip Snyman, Kwagga Smith, Rosko Specman and Warren Whiteley.
Tickets for the Dubai Rugby Sevens can be purchased online at www.dubairugby7s.com or at selected Costa, MMI, Go Sport and dnata outlets, Bidi Bondi, The Sevens stadium and Park n Shop.
Tickets for Thursday, December 3, are free, but for December 4 and 5 they cost Dh300 per day if bought in advance or Dh400 at the gate.
Season tickets, for both the Friday and Saturday, cost Dh500 in advance or Dh600 on the day. Children under the age of 12 go free on all days if accompanied by an adult.
