All eyes will be on former Bulls and Springbok winger Travis Ismaiel as he makes an unlikely return to the field to make his Springbok Sevens debut in Los Angeles this weekend.
Ismaiel retired two years ago because of a shoulder injury but received a surprise invitation to train with the Blitzboks and now could be on the verge of earning a national Sevens cap to add to his 15s and SA under-20 representative caps.
At the age of 30, most players would be thinking of retirement but Ismaiel is looking to make a solid impact as the Blitzboks look to get themselves back on track after disappointing in Sydney last time out.
“It's been a long journey and I have had to jump through lots of hoops to get here. It has taken a lot of hard work,” he told World Rugby.
“With sevens, as we all know, you have to put in the yards and what you put in you'll get out. To be able to make a team of the Blitzboks' calibre is something special to me.
“It is something I have wanted to do for a long time so to do it now, after being out of the game for a while, is a very proud moment for me.”
'A MIRACLE'
His return from 18 months of retirement is a miracle in itself, and now he wants to make the most of it.
“The fact that I ended up in Stellenbosch, training with the sevens guys, was a miracle itself – I never thought my shoulder would heal so well that I could just be functional again and even more so, start playing rugby again,” he said.
“The last couple of months have been so gratifying and to know that I am on my way to play for this team on the world stage, is really a special feeling.”
With Darren Adonis and Dalvon Blood both picking up season-ending injuries in Sydney, and Shaun Williams out with a knee injury sustained in training this week, Ismaiel has the perfect opportunity to make a big impact.
Ronald Brown and Mfundo Ndhlovu also return to the side as South Africa look to cement their top four spot to ensure automatic qualification for the 2024 Olympics.
The Blitzboks won the tournament in 2020 but had a horror run last year where they finished 13th. Their pool is a tricky, but manageable one as they face Ireland, Uruguay and Canada.
??Lights
— Springbok Sevens (@Blitzboks) February 20, 2023
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The Blitzboks are in the City of Angels this week, ready to roll out the red carpet.
Catch the action live on SuperSport Rugby ??
#BlitzIgnite #HSBC7s
@WeBuyCars_SA pic.twitter.com/QV2uoiaKtX
BLITZBOKS FIXTURES Saturday
9:49pm v Canada
Sunday
1:02am v Uruguay
5:03am v Irleand
A former @Springboks wing and two returnees from injury were named in the #Blitzboks squad for their trip to North America - more here: https://t.co/l8JpxFV1XJ ??#BlitzIgnite @WeBuyCars_SA @McDonalds_SA pic.twitter.com/lUhEF97yMB
— Springbok Sevens (@Blitzboks) February 17, 2023