The Blitzboks plan to bolster their squad for the 2025-26 season by bringing in loan players from South Africa’s Vodacom URC franchises.
According to Rapport, players in URC squads who are struggling for game time will be eligible for short-term stints with the national sevens side.
While these players won’t receive full sevens contracts, the arrangement will give them valuable exposure at international level – and, in turn, benefit both their franchises and the Blitzboks.
Among those training with the sevens squad in Stellenbosch are Tristan Leyds, Zain Davids, Quewin Nortjé, Gideon van Wyk, Shilton van Wyk (all Western Province), Tiaan Pretorius (Pumas), David Brits and Donovan Don (Boland), and Christie Grobbelaar (Sharks).
Don, the leading try-scorer in this year’s Currie Cup with nine, is among several players already back in sevens training. Grobbelaar, part of the Sharks’ URC group, will join the Blitzboks on 1 November.
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The squad will face Germany in a two-day warm-up series in Stellenbosch on Thursday and Friday, ahead of the World Rugby Sevens Series opener in Dubai on 29 November.
Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
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