Cheslin Kolbe's relative makes a move into rugby
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The next generation of South Africa's sevens talent will be on display this weekend when the Springbok Sevens 'A' and Springbok Women's Sevens 'A' sides play in the Emirates Dubai 7s International Invitational tournaments.
Both teams will feature a combination of experienced players and new talent for the tournament, played alongside the Sevens tournament in Dubai.
During the squad announcement, one interesting insight was the fact that Kayla Swarts – younger sibling of South African track superstar Wayde van Niekerk – who is a cousin of Springbok superstar Cheslin Kolbe, was included in the Springbok Women Sevens 'A' squad.
Interestingly, Swarts represented South Africa in field hockey at the 2024 Paris Olympics, but is now trying her hand at another sport after her natural talents were quickly spotted.
Kolbe of course also successfully played sevens rugby when he was continuing to break through on the professional rugby stage, which included winning a bronze medal with the Springbok Sevens team at the 2016 Summer Olympics.
Cheslin Kolbe, Wayde van Niekerk, Kayla Swarts … talent runs in the family
Swarts forms part of a Women Sevens 'A' that also boasts some decent experience, which includes five players that formed part of the squad that won the Rugby Africa Women's Sevens title in Ghana earlier this month for the trip to the UAE.
Team captain Kemisetso Baloyi, Shiniqwa Lamprecht and Zandile Masuku also played in the 2024 world series, while Nompumelelo Mathe and Leigh Fortuin made their international sevens debuts in Ghana, where the team qualified for the 2025 World Rugby Challenger Series.
They will provide much needed experience to the team with seven new players, all full of promise and talent.
One of the new players, Asiphe Mayaba, has Test experience and has scored five tries for the Springbok Women.
Danaé van der Bergh is the daughter of former Springbok loose forward Elandré, who played one Test in the green and gold in 1994, while her Leopards teammate Vianca Boer excelled for the SA Students Sevens team this year.
Voice Ndou was the leading try scorer for Western Province in the 2024 Women's Premier Division where she played alongside Anja le Roux and Donëy Filies, who represented the Junior Springbok Women earlier in the year as well.
The Springbok Women's Sevens A team will face Georgia, France Militaire Rugby Sevens and Ireland Invitational in their pool.
Springbok Women's Sevens 'A' squad:
- Kemisetso Baloyi (captain)
- Nompumelelo Mathe
- Leigh Fortuin
- Kayla Swarts
- Voice Ndou
- Shiniqwa Lamprecht
- Zandile Masuku
- Vianca Boer
- Anja le Roux
- Danaé van der Bergh
- Donëy Filies
- Asiphe Mayaba
Will you be watching the sevens this weekend?
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