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'It's incredible the amount of chat from Irish players across the board'
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Why the Blitzboks are hoping youngsters will make their mark in Singapore
By Joe Harvey
Blitzbok assistant coach Renfred Dazel believes that injury to senior playmakers can allow young stars to step up in Singapore and Perth.
For the last pair of HSBC SVNS Series stops South Africa are without experienced trio Selvyn Davids, Ronald Brown and Dewald Human.
As a result head coach Philip Snyman has been forced to roll the dice and hand debuts to Renaldo Young and Luan Giliomee.
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It has provided an opportunity to increase the squad’s depth as preparations for LA28 continue and for young players to step up in the absence of established talent.
“We would have liked for at least one of them to be here, as they are world class playmakers, but as always in rugby, this will provide the next player an opportunity to make his mark,” Dazel said.
“We have made the necessary adjustments, mainly due to the versatility of the squad. We have a new player in Luan (Giliomee), who is a specialist in that role, while Nabo Sokoyi, who was so impressive on debut in Cape Town at centre, can play scrum-half/sweeper as well as fly-half.
“And not to forget the skills of Donavan Don, who can move from the outside backs to fly-half as well.”
After a fifth-place finish in Dubai and victory in Cape Town, the Blitzboks sit at the top of the men’s Series standings.
Named in Pool A with Fiji, Great Britain and Spain, the side will be looking to break some Singapore hoodoo.
With only two wins at the Singapore National Stadium since the tournament’s establishment in 2003, the side are not only contending with inexperience but history too.
Ahead of kick-off Dazel is hopefuls that the Boks’ established structures and other experienced players can help their youngsters thrive.
“We were always going to give new players opportunities as we build depth towards the 2028 Olympic Games and I am confident in the abilities of players like Nabo, Luan and Renaldo Young to make the step-up expected of playing at this level,” Dazel said.
“If we also manage to stay within our structure and execute well, it will be a good weekend, despite the close margins between the eight sides competing.”
