BlitzBokke.com is a website for the fans… by the fans and we are fortunate to have some of the most passionate Springbok Sevens fans in all the cities where the IRB Sevens World Series takes place right here on this website.

Louisa Mills, one of our fans in the desert-city of Dubai, where the Series kicks off in a week’s time, sent us this report that appeared in the local Gulf News on 15 November 2009:

Paul Delport named Springbok Sevens captain

(Delport’s elevation is a natural succession after previously captaining the SA Schools)

Paul Delport was on Friday named as captain of the Springbok Sevens squad for the 2009/2010 IRB Sevens World Series, starting at the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens next month.  Delport’s elevation is a natural succession after previously captaining the SA Schools and national Under-21 and Under-19 teams.

Springbok Sevens coach Paul Treu believes that Delport’s appointment as captain for the new season would further strengthen the existing leadership structures within the Sevens squad.

“All the senior and contracted players in the squad fully endorse Paul as their captain for the season,” said Treu.

“We want to create a platform for all our players to excel as leaders. This is part of the legacy we want to build. In the future, there will be new captains and leaders who will take over from Paul, so it’s important to have many leaders in our setup.

“The Vodacom Bulls have proved to be successful thanks to their leaders such as Victor Matfield, Fourie du Preez and Bakkies Botha in their squad.”

Seniors

Players such as Mzwandile Stick, Mpho Mbiyozo and Neil Powell, who have previously captained the SA Sevens side, are all expected to play a huge role as senior players in the side that intends to defend their crown as IRB Sevens World Series Champions.

“Our mentality within the squad is that of a team and not individuals. While Paul has been named captain, our strength will continue to be based on a team effort. That’s what I am expecting,” added Treu.

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If you’re as committed as Louisa and find yourself in any one of the IRB Sevens Series cities, send us your reports, stories, photos, or even clips from your local newspapers and we’ll gladly publish it here on BlitzBokke.com.

Coach Paul Treu and his charges lived up to expectations and repeated their traditional great form in Dubai by winning the inaugural tournament of the 2008/2009 IRB Sevens World Series. 

The Arabian Gulf Rugby Football Union (AGRFU) had a short training stint in the Cape prior to the Dubai Sevens, playing a warm-up game against the Boks in Stellenbosch. Paul Treu returned the favour and the team travelled to Dubai earlier than usual to take part in various promotional events. The extra days in the desert clearly showed by the time the tournament started because the players sported impressive tans all around!

On the opening day, the South Africans made light work of Scotland, Kenya and hosts AGRFU, allowing only 10 points (Scotland) to be scored against them.  Upon reaching the Cup Quarter-Finals, they saw off a hapless Aussie side (19-0) as well as the Fijians in Semi’s (10-7).

Needless to say, the Cup Final was an epic battle which will go down in the collective memories of all Sevens fans as one of the best matches in a long, long time! The Dubai Sevens saw the rise of Mzwandile Stick, not only as new Bok Sevens captain, but also as a match-winner of note!  Sticky, as he is affectionately known, calmly slotted over the match-winning conversion of a Ryno Benjamin try seconds before the end-whistle, ensuring that the Boks go into their home tournament as IRB Sevens Series log-leaders.