Zain Davids set for 50th HSBC SVNS Tournament as Blitzboks gear up for Perth

If you think Kimberley is hot, consider the sizzling action awaiting the Blitzboks Down Under next weekend.

It’s at the Aussie leg of the Sevens series that South African rugby stalwart Zain Davids will reach a significant milestone next weekend as he earns his 50th HSBC SVNS tournament cap. The 27-year-old has been named in the Springbok Sevens squad for the HSBC SVNS Perth, set to take place at HBF Park from January 24-26..

Davids, who made his national debut in Wellington, New Zealand, in 2017, has been a cornerstone of the Blitzboks’ success. Sharing co-captaincy duties with fellow forward Impi Visser, he will aim to lead the team to glory in a tough pool featuring the USA, Australia, and Argentina.

Blitzbok head coach Philip Snyman, a veteran of over 50 world series tournaments himself, announced three changes to the squad that triumphed in Cape Town last month. Ryan Oosthuizen, Ronald Brown, and Selvyn Davids return to the lineup, replacing Mfundo Ndhlovu, Shaun Williams, and Tristan Leyds.

Ndhlovu and Leyds are sidelined with hand injuries, while Selvyn Davids and Brown return to full fitness. “I am hoping to widen the player base and add experience to the group, so changes were always part of the plan,” Snyman said. “We still have the starting team from Cape Town travelling, and that core should provide momentum.”

There are three key Blitzbok players to watch:

Zain Davids is set to reach his 50th tournament cap, the powerful forward has scored 225 points (45 tries) in his career and is playing some of his best rugby to date.

Selvyn Davids will be returning as the team’s captain for the season, Selvyn brings a magical touch with 671 career points, including 86 tries.

Siviwe Soyizwapi is another member of the elite ‘50+ club’, Soyizwapi has amassed an impressive 780 points from 152 tries in his career.

The Blitzboks face a challenging pool in Perth, taking on top contenders the USA, Australia, and Argentina. Currently sitting fourth on the world series log with 30 points, South Africa will look to close the gap on log leaders Fiji (36 points).

Snyman expressed his excitement for Zain Davids’ milestone and the team’s prospects in Perth. “I am really pleased for Zain to reach 50 tournaments; it is well deserved. He’s been a significant contributor, and we’d love to make this one special for him,” Snyman said.

The Blitzboks aim to build on their strong start to the season and climb the HSBC SVNS standings, with their sights set firmly on another tournament victory.

Springbok Sevens Squad for HSBC SVNS Perth:

Ryan Oosthuizen (51 tournaments, 225 points), Impi Visser (co-captain) (41 tournaments, 215 points), Zain Davids (co-captain) (49 tournaments, 225 points), Ricardo Duarttee (14 tournaments, 241 points), Ronald Brown (17 tournaments, 379 points), Selvyn Davids (37 tournaments, 671 points), Dewald Human (28 tournaments, 298 points), Siviwe Soyizwapi (55 tournaments, 780 points), Shilton van Wyk (22 tournaments, 200 points), Quewin Nortje (8 tournaments, 115 points), Donavan Don (5 tournaments, 40 points), David Brits (5 tournaments, 35 points), Zander Reynders (1 tournament, 0 points)