Branco du Preez extended his hot streak after leaving Fabian Juries in the shade and moves ever closer to being crowned SA’s greatest Blitzbok, but can he best his next challenger?

Although not as comprehensive as his first-round victory, Du Preez claimed 64% of the vote against Juries to march into the next round.

Du Preez now comes up against a teammate and fellow stalwart of sevens rugby, Cecil Afrika.

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Afrika is the all-time career top-scorer for the Blitzboks with 1,462 points, a monumental tally, but only 28 points ahead of Du Preez’s 1,434.

When it comes to career tries, Afrika occupies joint-second spot with 179 tries, six spots and 79 tries more than his opponent who crossed the whitewash 100 times.

With 345 games under his belt compared to Branco’s 417 appearances, Afrika also boasts the better average, scoring a try every second game where Du Preez averages one every four games.

Both players are prolific with the boot, with Branco occupying top spot on 464 career conversions, followed by Afrika in second with 282 successful kicks.

Branco is arguably the harder hitter on defence, stopping much larger opponents with ease, but Afrika has more successful tackles to his name, even if it is marginal. Du Preez has completed 313 tackles, leaving him seventh on the all-time list, but Afrika’s 341 tackles places him fourth.

The Challenger:

Dobbo’s Diary: From chasing the crown to wearing the crown

Photo: Twitter/@MMSPORTSGROUP1, @Blitzboks