Springbok 7s captain barely looked back after first assignment

They say leaders are born, not made, but the Springbok Sevens have a leader who did not hesitate when the call came for him to lead from the front.

Kyle Brown’s first assignment as a captain was at school, and he did not even wait for the debate to start.

That was that, indeed, and Brown has barely looked back since.

He has grown in stature, to the point where there was national concern when he got injured this year, putting his chances to go to the Olympic Games in jeopardy.

Brown has earned the respect of his team, and their international contemporaries over the last few years, and when he was announced in the final squad to go to Rio, there was a collective sigh of relief.

He, more than most, knows how coach Neil Powell agonised over the squad.

Along with the squad of 12, there are two travelling reserves who will also go to Rio.

For Brown and his team, the Olympics is a natural progression after their Commonwealth Games success two years ago.

South Africa is pooled with Australia, France and Spain in Pool B.

Meanwhile Fiji will take on Brazil in their first Rio Olympics pool game at 4.30am on August 10th, they will then face Argentina at 9.30am before taking on USA at 4.30am on August 11th.

The quarter finals will start at 8am Thursday August 11th, the semis will start at 5.30am Friday August 12th and the final will kick off at 10am Friday August 12th.

Barring any upsets, Fiji will meet France, Kenya or Argentina in the Medal Quarter Final, Australia or Great Britain in the Medal Semi Final and NZ or South Africa in the Gold Medal Final.

The Rio Olympics opening ceremony will start at 11am next Saturday.