Veteran Blitzboks playmaker Werner Kok is excited about his new role in the forwards for the Hong Kong leg of the HSBC World Sevens Series this weekend.
Kok‚ who has played 218 matches for the Blitzboks‚ has been shifted up front with injury to captain Philip Snyman necessitating the move.
“I have played as a forward occasionally‚ but this will be a nice‚ new challenge‚” Kok said.
“I am comfortable with some of the tasks‚ but jumping in the lineout is new to me. It went well in training last week‚ but the challenge will be in the actual matches.
“It is a new role for me and I am keen to try it. Being here and being part of the squad is motivation enough to always give your best‚” said Kok‚ who was named Player of the Tournament the last time he visited Hong Kong‚ in 2017.
“We are going through some system changes as a squad and everyone is excited about it. The future of Springbok Sevens looks bright.”
Winning in Vancouver last month has boosted the team and consolidated their top four place on the standings‚ which would secure automatic Olympic qualification.
While Kok is an old hand for the Blitzboks and in Hong Kong‚ a new adventure for Angelo Davids is beginning.
The teenager will make his World Series debut a year later than expected. Davids was supposed to be part of the youthful squad the Blitzboks sent to Hong Kong last year‚ but an ankle injury ended the dream.
He recalls that disappointment‚ but also the joy when he was told last week he will be travelling to Hong Kong as a Blitzbok after all.
“I missed out and it hurt‚ but unfortunately I had an ankle injury and could not play - since then‚ I have been dreaming of my next opportunity‚” Davids said after his first field session in Hong Kong.
Just as his injury served as an opportunity for someone else last year‚ Davids was named in the squad after Muller du Plessis pulled out a week ago due to a leg injury‚ and for the former Stellenberg High School star‚ it came as a bit of a shock.
“I did not quite expect the call-up to Hong Kong‚ especially since the guys did so well in Vancouver‚” Davids explained.
“It is never nice to cover for an injury‚ but these things happen in rugby.”
He has been with the squad long enough know to know what is expected‚ but he still plans to keep a close eye on Blitzboks captain‚ Siviwe Soyizwapi‚ this week.
He is likely to replace the skipper on the wing to earn his debut.
Davids admits that he has learned a lot from former Blitzboks‚ Seabelo Senatla and Rosko Specman.
“If I can contribute the way they did‚ with their speed and feet‚ I will be very happy‚” he said.
“In the end though‚ I need to be Angelo Davids‚ not a copy of someone else. I am very keen to go out and contribute.”
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