The Blitzboks will be aiming for a top four finish and automatic Olympic qualification when the Sevens World Series kicks off on the Gold Coast this weekend.
With their success at the Commonwealth Games still fresh in the memories, Neil Powell's side will turn their attentions to this season's World Series and Olympic qualification. The top four sides on the log at the end of the season will gain automatic entry to the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
The Blitzboks will get their season underway in the early hours of Saturday morning and Powell admits that preparations for the event haven't gone as smooth as he would've liked.
Regular captain Kyle Brown is still busy with his rehabilitation following shoulder surgery, while a few other players were also nursing some injury complaints in the buildup to the tournament. In addition to that, Justin Geduld, Seabelo Senatla and Kwagga Smith also played in the Currie Cup, which meant Powell could only get his full squad together on the eve of their departure to Australia.
Veteran forward Frankie Horne will lead the Blitzboks in his 60th consecutive World Series match when they come up against Wales in their opening encounter.
Blitzboks fixtures (Day 1):
03:18 vs Wales
06:39 vs American Samoa
10:39 vs Kenya
Blitzboks Squad – Chris Dry, Philip Snyman, Frankie Horne (c), Kwagga Smith, Werner Kok, Ruhan Nel, Justin Geduld, Branco du Preez, Stephan Dippenaar, Cecil Afrika, Steven Hunt, Seabelo Senatla.
Photo: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
