Blitzboks welcome vastly experienced Soyizwapi as captain for Singapore

Blitzbok head coach Philip Snyman has welcomed back the vastly experienced Siviwe Soyizwapi to his squad for Singapore.

It will be the 33-year-old’s first appearance for South Africa this HSBC SVNS Series season, having last appeared for the team in Los Angeles in their HSBC SVNS World Championship win last May.

Soyizwapi will captain the side as Impi Visser is rested for both Singapore and Perth. He brings 60 tournament’s worth of experience to a side that features two debutants.

Both Renaldo Young and Luan Giliomee have been provided opportunities on the HSBC SVNS Series in part due to injuries sustained by Ronald Brown and Selvyn Davids, as well as Snyman’s desire to build greater squad depth.

“All the senior guys will get some rest before the three World Championship tournaments,” Snyman said.

“Impi’s workload in Dubai and Cape Town was huge, so we decided to give him a break. The decision was made easier with Siviwe being fit again, so he will replace him in the forwards and take over the captaincy for this trip as well.

“Unfortunately Ronald Brown and Selvyn Davids picked up injuries in Cape Town in December and are not yet available for selection, as is Dewald Human, so that impacted our options in the playmaker position.

“Luan Giliomee will slot in there, while Sebastiaan Jobb and Ronaldo Young will add some real spark to the outside backs.

“Quewin Nortje is also recovering well from his injury, and unfortunately Gino Cupido had a setback earlier this week, so they were not considered for selection for this trip.”

Giliomee has previously represented South Africa at the Commonwealth Youth Games held in Trinidad & Tobago in 2023. He has also represented SA Schools, South Africa Under-18s and the SA U19 Academy.

Young joined the Blitzboks on a dual contract with the Boland Kavaliers, who he has starred for on the wing.

“Renaldo has been training very well since he joined us and did really well for the SA ‘A’-side in Dubai last year – I am excited to see what he can do,” Snyman said.

“Sebastiaan is also back and looked really sharp in training. All three are part of the depth building system we are busy with as 2028 approaches.”

Blitzbok squad for Singapore

1 Christie Grobbelaar
2 Ryan Oosthuizen
4 Zain Davids
5 Ricardo Duarttee
9 Nabo Sokoyi
11 Siviwe Soyizwapi (c)
12 Shilton van Wyk
15 Donavan Don
16 Sebastiaan Jobb
19 David Brits
20 Renaldo Young – uncapped
21 Zander Reynders
24 Tristan Leyds
27 Luan Giliomee – uncapped