The Springbok Sevens squad to play in the HSBC France Sevens this weekend had a late change when Selvyn Davids was declared medically unfit to travel, with Dalvon Blood named as his replacement.
However, due to current travel protocols, the 20-year-old Blood could not depart with the rest of the team on Sunday. He was cleared to fly on Monday and will leave for France this evening.
Blood, who is in line to make his HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series debut this weekend, has been a member of the SA Rugby Sevens Academy since 2021 and also represented the Junior Springboks in last year’s U20 International Series against Georgia, Argentina and Uruguay.
Earlier this year he played for the SA Under-23 Sevens team against Zimbabwe and Uganda, where his speed and swerve confirmed his potential. While at Rondebosch Boys’ High School, Blood represented the Western Province schools team and was selected for the SA Under-18 Schools Sevens side.
Springbok Sevens squad for the HSBC France Sevens in Toulouse (amended):
- James Murphy – 7 tournaments, 26 matches, 20 points (4 tries)
- Ryan Oosthuizen – 29 tournaments, 138 matches, 150 points (30 tries)
- Impi Visser – 19 tournaments, 96 matches, 95 points (19 tries)
- Zain Davids – 30 tournaments, 151 matches, 145 points (29 tries)
- Tiaan Pretorius – 2 tournaments, 7 matches, 5 points (1 try)
- JC Pretorius – 18 tournaments, 96 matches, 210 points (42 tries)
- Branco du Preez – 79 tournaments, 400 matches, 1409 points (99 tries, 454 conversions, 1 penalty goal, 1 drop goal)
- Dalvon Blood – uncapped
- Ronald Brown – 6 tournaments, 35 matches, 232 points (22 tries, 61 conversions)
- Dewald Human – 15 tournaments, 66 matches, 195 points (15 tries, 60 conversions)
- Siviwe Soyizwapi – 37 tournaments, 193 matches, 625 points (125 tries)
- Muller du Plessis – 16 tournaments, 78 matches, 285 points (57 tries)
- Mfundo Ndhlovu – 8 tournaments, 37 matches, 40 points (8 tries)
