Blitzboks fuel up on old, new faces

12/05/2024 09:12 AM

Mfundo Ndhlovu returns to the Blitzboks team while Zander Reynders is in line to make his debut at the Cape Town Sevens this weekend.

Reynders is in line to become the 196th Blitzbok at Cape Town Stadium alongside Ndhlovu, a two-time world series winner and Commonwealth Games gold medallist.

The inclusion of the duo by head coach Philip Snyman is the only changes from the squad that played in the season opener in Dubai last week, where Ryan Oosthuizen and Christie Grobbelaar picked up injuries which ruled them out of the home leg of the series.

Ndhlovu last played for the Blitzboks in London at the end of the 2023 season and his 18th appearance in green and gold will also be his first in Cape Town.

Pretoria born-and-raised Reynders will become the first rugby international produced by Midstream College. Impi Visser and Zain Davids will again co-captain the team.

Snyman said the reality of injuries in rugby, as well as a decision to blood new players during the new 2025 season, made it easier to select a side that will try to win the tournament for the first time since 2015.

"Mfundo came really close to selection for Dubai, so he was always in contention for Cape Town, while Zander impressed from the very first day since joining us after completing his exams in early November," he said.

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"It is tough to lose two stalwarts like Ryan and Christie, who would have dearly loved to play in front of their home base, but this creates a great opportunity for the two new players."

The 23-year-old Reynders was part of the Springbok Sevens 'A' side that won the International Invitational tournament last week in Dubai, where Ndhlovu was captain.

"Zander has been on our radar for a while now and played for us in a pre-season tournament in Middelburg in September," said Snyman.

"He joined us as soon as he had finished his final exams in November. He roomed with Impi this week, which was great as he could learn a lot and as fellow engineers, I am sure they not only talked about rugby all the time, which is good."

Snyman said he was pleased with Ndhlovu's form as well: "Mfundo settled down nicely in recent months, also completing his degree and training really well.

"His career has been hampered by injuries and to see him fit and ready is a great thing for me as coach. Both players will bring it this weekend, I am sure of that."

Snyman said new players joining the squad bring energy and it was similar for Ndhlovu and Reynders, who slotted in with ease this week.

"The excitement in the camp is high," he said.

"We all realise that the things that tripped us up in Dubai can be fixed and we worked hard on that during the week. We will arrive at the stadium on Saturday with good confidence, not only in our players and preparation, but knowing that we have a stadium full of supporters wishing us well."

Photo: Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images

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