Sevens players punch above their weight

02 September 2014 - 02:07 By Chumani Bambani
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Cricket witnessed something of an evolution a few years ago with the emergence of the Twenty20 game - a fast, more aggressive version of the traditional limited-overs game.

Now rugby in South Africa is experiencing a similar but converse evolution.

Players from the Sevens game - a faster, less regimented version - are making their mark and adding blitz and flamboyance to the traditional 15-man game.

Sibusiso Sithole, a star of former Blitzboks coach Paul Treu's talented Sevens side of a few years ago, made the switch from Sevens to 15s two years ago when he joined the Sharks. So did Cornal Hendricks when he played for the Cheetahs last season.

Both got call-ups to Heyneke Meyer's Springbok side in June.

Hendricks has since been a regular feature on the Bok team, while Sithole has yet to get a 15s national cap.

The latest player who plies his trade in both forms to get recognition from Meyer is loose forward Warren Whiteley, who is touring with the Boks in Australasia for the Rugby Championship.

Others have since followed and have become key figures in the domestic provincial competition, the Currie Cup.

The Western Province duo of wing Seabelo Senatla and wing/fullback Cheslin Kolbe - who could both easily be referred to as the Chris Gayles of rugby - have proven to be almost indispensable for the Currie Cup log leaders so far.

Their creativity, speed, flair and try-scoring abilities have been crucial in Province remaining unbeaten and looking sturdy so far this season.

However, Senatla will miss at least the next two Currie Cup matches with an ankle injury.

He picked up the knock during Saturday's 23-18 win over the Blue Bulls at Loftus, where he scored a try and created another for right wing Kobus van Wyk.

Sithole continues to be a central figure in the Sharks team. Flanker Kwagga Smith brings a different edge to the Golden Lions side.

Things will get even more exciting when the Blue Bulls decide to unleash another Blitzbok in Jamba Ulengo.

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