Injured Powell replaced by Schoeman

Neil Powell was today ruled out of the Emirates Airline SA Sevens tournament after the veteran player injured his shoulder during the Dubai Plate Final on Saturday against Australia.

Australia’s youthful team shocked the IRB Sevens World Series champions 7-0 to collect the Plate, a day after South Africa had won the pool match between the two sides 29-0.

Powell, a former Springbok Sevens captain, is replaced by the versatile Marius Schoeman who ironically missed the Dubai Sevens due to a calf injury.

South Africa returns to George today with 15 other international teams for the annual Sevens showpiece in the beautiful Garden Route city. The Emirates Airline SA Sevens tournament on 11-12 December will again be staged at Outeniqua Park.

Paul Treu, the South African coach, said the team’s two losses on Saturday against Fiji (in the Cup quarter-final) and Australia was a big disappointment. However, the coach added there were positives to take out from the failed mission in Dubai.

“We were spot on with our composure and decision-making on day one, but we were found wanting in those two areas on Saturday when it mattered.

“The two losses were a massive eye-opener for the guys and they now realise that we will have to play so much better as the defending SA tournament and World Series champions.

“We were able to give international debuts to youngsters like Cecil Afrika, Deon Helberg and JW Jonker, and that was a big positive for me. The youngsters now had a taste of what it takes to compete at the highest level and that will serve them very well in George next week,” said Treu.

New Zealand beat off the challenge of Samoa in the Dubai Cup final, 24-12, and takes an early lead in the Series standings with 24 points.

South Africa collected eight points after losing to Australia in the Plate Final and the team knows that they will have to deliver an improved performance to collect more points to stay in the run to defend their championship crown.