Cheslin Kolbe’s relative makes a transfer into rugby
The subsequent era of South Africa’s sevens expertise will probably be on show this weekend when the Springbok Sevens ‘A’ and Springbok Women’s Sevens ‘A’ sides play within the Emirates Dubai 7s International Invitational tournaments.
Both groups will characteristic a mix of skilled gamers and new expertise for the event, performed alongside the Sevens event in Dubai.
During the squad announcement, one fascinating perception was the truth that Kayla Swarts – youthful sibling of South African observe famous person Wayde van Niekerk – who’s a cousin of Springbok famous person Cheslin Kolbe, was included within the Springbok Women Sevens ‘A’ squad.
Interestingly, Swarts represented South Africa in area hockey on the 2024 Paris Olympics, however is now attempting her hand at one other sport after her pure skills have been shortly noticed.
Kolbe after all additionally efficiently performed sevens rugby when he was persevering with to interrupt by way of on the skilled rugby stage, which included successful a bronze medal with the Springbok Sevens staff on the 2016 Summer Olympics.
Cheslin Kolbe, Wayde van Niekerk, Kayla Swarts … expertise runs within the household
Swarts varieties a part of a Women Sevens ‘A’ that additionally boasts some respectable expertise, which contains 5 gamers that shaped a part of the squad that gained the Rugby Africa Women’s Sevens title in Ghana earlier this month for the journey to the UAE.
Team captain Kemisetso Baloyi, Shiniqwa Lamprecht and Zandile Masuku additionally performed within the 2024 world collection, whereas Nompumelelo Mathe and Leigh Fortuin made their worldwide sevens debuts in Ghana, the place the staff certified for the 2025 World Rugby Challenger Series.
They will present a lot wanted expertise to the staff with seven new gamers, all stuffed with promise and expertise.
One of the brand new gamers, Asiphe Mayaba, has Test expertise and has scored 5 tries for the Springbok Women.
Danaé van der Bergh is the daughter of former Springbok free ahead Elandré, who performed one Test within the inexperienced and gold in 1994, whereas her Leopards teammate Vianca Boer excelled for the SA Students Sevens staff this yr.
Voice Ndou was the main strive scorer for Western Province within the 2024 Women’s Premier Division the place she performed alongside Anja le Roux and Donëy Filies, who represented the Junior Springbok Women earlier within the yr as properly.
The Springbok Women’s Sevens A staff will face Georgia, France Militaire Rugby Sevens and Ireland Invitational of 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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