Tricky Ricky back in the fold for Blitzboks after Ronald Brown injury

Tricky Ricky back in the fold for Blitzboks after Ronald Brown injury

Duarttee was a member of the victorious squads in Cape Town and Perth, where he kicked the match-winning conversion against Fiji, as the Blitzboks romped home in the HSBC SVNS Series.

For Duarttee, the late inclusion means that he will also be involved in the South African charge to the HSBC SVNS World Championship crown in Valladolid and Bordeaux. The Blitzboks won the first of three events in Hong Kong last month and are leading the standings that will determine the overall winner early next month.

His recall felt like a prayer being heard, Duarttee said: "The highs of Perth aside, I was not in a good place then and had to take some personal responsibility to improve on some of the decisions I was making at the time.

"It took a while, but I managed to do that. I had some self-reflection and my change in attitude was for the better. I am very grateful for this belated opportunity, and I hope I can deliver the performances and role in the team that is expected of me," he added.

Blitzbok head coach Philip Snyman earlier recalled Gino Cupido and Dewald Human to the travelling squad.

Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that a number of Blitzbok squad members not selected for this trip will be playing in invitational tournaments in Europe in the next two weekends.

Grant de Jager, Siya Ndlozi and Rowan Malgas will play for Shogun in the Amsterdam Sevens on 6-7 June, while Juan Smith and Renaldo Young will be in action for the Titans at the same event. Malgas, Smith and Young will also play for the Titans in the EAAST invitational tournament in Haguenau, France next weekend.

South Africa's Pool A fixtures

Friday 29 May

12:34 - Great Britain

17:08 - Kenya

Saturday, 30 May

13:23 - Australia

Springbok Seven Squad

Ryan Oosthuizen, Impi Visser, Zain Davids, Ricardo Duarttee, Selvyn Davids, Dewald Human, Siviwe Soyizwapi, Shilton van Wyk, Quewin Nortje, Sebastiaan Jobb, David Brits, Tristan Leyds, Jayden Nell, Gino Cupido.

Related News

Human and Cupido return as Blitzboks name strong squad for SVNS finale in Europe

Human and Cupido return as Blitzboks name strong squad for SVNS finale in Europe

  • 3 days ago

Backline players Dewald Human and Gino Cupido are back in the Blitzbok squad for the final two rounds of this year's SVNS World Championship in Spain and France.

Blitzboks not taking past success for granted ahead of next World Champs

Blitzboks not taking past success for granted ahead of next World Champs

  • 7 days ago

Springbok Sevens wing Sebastiaan Jobb is hungry for more success as the team prepares for the second leg of the Sevens World Championship in Spain.

Ronald Brown: Hong Kong win no cause for complacency as Blitzboks refocus

Ronald Brown: Hong Kong win no cause for complacency as Blitzboks refocus

  • 1 month ago

The Blitzboks' first-ever victory in Hong Kong was masterminded at their Stellenbosch training base, where they will now return as they begin planning for the HSBC SVNS World Championship in Valladolid, Spain next month.

Speechless Snyman reflects on Blitzboks' watershed Hong Kong title

Speechless Snyman reflects on Blitzboks' watershed Hong Kong title

  • 1 month ago

Springbok Sevens head coach Philip Snyman is basking in the glory of South Africa's very first HSBC SVNS Hong Kong tournament title.