Soyizwapi to lead Blitzboks at Tokyo Olympics

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Shakes Soyizwapi: SA Rugby

Olympic bronze medallist Justin Geduld has been included in Team South Africa’s Rugby Sevens squad for the up-coming Tokyo Olympics.

Branco du Preez and Chris Dry have also been included in the squad after missing out in 2016.

Blitzboks coach Neil Powell finalised his team of 14 on Tuesday which includes Siviwe ‘Shakes’  Soyizwapi as captain and Ruhan Nel as the travelling reserve.

The 4^th seeded Blitzboks are in Pool C and will face Ireland, Kenya and USA in the pool phase, which commences on the 26^th of July in the Tokyo Stadium.

South Africa will spend a week in Kagoshima City prior to the event, where they will fine tune their preparations.

Blitzboks (with World Series stats):

1. Chris Dry – 74 tournaments, 373 matches; 490 points (98 tries)
2. Sako Makata – 9 tournaments, 36 matches; 20 points (4 tries)
3. Impi Visser – 13 tournaments, 64 matches; 65 points (13 tries)
4. Zain Davids – 22 tournaments, 109 matches; 80 points (16 tries)
5. Angelo Davids – 6 tournaments, 32 matches; 90 points (18 tries)
6. JC Pretorius – 10 tournaments, 54 matches; 120 points (24 tries)
7. Branco du Preez – 75 tournaments, 380 matches; 1355 points (97 tries, 432 conversions, 1 penalty goal, 1 drop goal)
8. Selvyn Davids – 20 tournaments, 102 matches; 409 points (42 tries, 98 conversions, 1 penalty goal)
9. Justin Geduld – 50 tournaments, 260 matches; 1034 points (111 tries, 238 conversions, 1 penalty goal)
10. Kurt-Lee Arendse – 8 tournaments, 37 matches; 70 points (14 tries)
11. Siviwe Soyizwapi (captain) – 30 tournaments, 157 matches; 465 points (93 tries)
12. Stedman Gans – 22 tournaments, 106 matches; 170 points (34 tries)
13. Ronald Brown – uncapped

Travelling reserve:

14. Ruhan Nel – 30 tournaments, 158 matches; 277 points (55 tries, 1 conversion)