South Africa 7s team extends squad to 26 players

South Africa 7s coach Neil Powell has extended their squad to 26 players with an aim to select the best players for the Dubai 7s and to defend their South African 7s title in Port Elizabeth.

Powell has retained a core of his players from Gold Coast with the likes of Cecil Aferika, Frankie Horne, Branco du Preez, Phillip Snyman and Stephan Dip-penaar.

Also making their return to the squad are Cheslin Kolbe, Justin Geduld and Mark Richards.

Powell said he is looking at improving at where they left off in Gold Coast where they finished fourth.

Last year, South Africa were beaten in the final of the Dubai 7s by Fiji and managed to capture their home title a week later in a pulsating Cup final against arch‑rivals New Zealand.

With Olympic qualification for the top four teams on the final leg looming large, the Springboks are keen to improve on their previous performance.

South Africa is pooled with Wales, Portugal and Canada in pool D.

The Dubai 7's will be held from the 5th to the 7th of next month.