Dazel possibly out of Series Finale.

SA Rugby yesterday announced that Bok Sevens playmaker Renfred Dazel will possibly miss out on the Series Finale (in London & Edinburgh) over the next 2 weeks “due to passport problems.”

Renfred Dazel: Koebaai to a dream-finish?

The statement from the powers-that-be read:

The Springbok Sevens team today learned that they will depart for Britain on Saturday without the services of the experienced Renfred Dazel.
Dazel will in all likelihood miss the final two tournaments of the International Rugby Board (IRB) Sevens World Series – in London (23-24 May) and Edinburgh (30-31 May). His unavailability is due to passport problems.

Paul Delport, who had been on stand-by, will take Dazel’s place in South Africa’s 12-man squad.

“It’s a setback to lose Renfred, but Paul has been with us for a long time now and I know what he’s capable of,” said Paul Treu, coach of the Sevens Boks.

“We’re holding thumbs that we can sort out Renfred’s passport in time, but it’s not looking good at the moment. He will join us if we can make the necessary arrangements.”

All that I can say about this issue (it must be added that I do not know what these “passport problems” are despite having scoured the coach’s website) is:

Sies Mense!

How could this have happened? These are players who ply their trade predominantly overseas. Besides, you have been on a break from competition for a loooong time. Long enough to have picked up on any “problems” that could have occurred. Surely Home Affairs are not that useless! I have had a temporary passport issued (from Pretoria nogal) in 3 weeks… and I live in HONG KONG!

Ag nee man.

How can we lose a talent like this who, after all, helped us get to this triumphant juncture? How can we deny Renfred the opportunity to celebrate being part of the greatest Springbok Sevens Team of all time by playing in the last tournament of a soon-to-be victorious season?

isoa-damu