Blitzboks coach Sandile Ngcobo’s search for a new speedster could reportedly see him turn to a former Springbok wing, who has already started training with the team.
According to Sunday newspaper Rapport, former Vodacom Bulls wing Travis Ismaiel is training with the larger Springbok Sevens group, along with Cheetahs speedster Duncan Saal.
Ismaiel played one Test for the Springboks in 2018, but was forced into an early retirement last year due to the effects of an ongoing shoulder injury.
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Still just 29 years old, Ismaiel has now been cleared to resume playing top-flight rugby.
Owing to the departure of Angelo Davids and an injury to Muller du Plessis, the Blitzboks are struggling for depth out wide, especially as Ngcobo told Rapport that captain Siviwe Soyizwapi is set for a due role as a forward.
Soyizwapi has recently been used as an impact player off the bench and no longer has the speed that he used to, due to a run of successive injuries.
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However, Ngcobo explained that neither Ismaiel nor Saal are in their immediate plans for the upcoming Dubai Sevens on 2 and 3 December.
“From what I understand, Duncan and Travis are doing contact integration after their serious injuries – a grade 3 hamstring injury and Travis a grade 5 shoulder injury,” said Ngcobo.
“They aren’t training with us. I’m not sure who made them part of our plans.”
Photo: Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images
