Ebersohn praises Treu and teammates

If Robert Ebersohn, who first represented South Africa with his talented twin brother, Sias (a flyhalf) at under-19 level, were to receive a call from Springbok Rugby Coach Peter de Villiers tomorrow asking him to join the ’Boks, he would choose to remain with the SA Sevens Team.

This talented young Free State centre, who was recently named the SA Young Player of the Year, was also crowned best player of the International Rugby Board (IRB) Sevens Tournament in George on Saturday.

Not only was he one of the leading try scorers, but also defended like a man possessed, and on numerous occasions won turn over ball for his team.

The 19-year old took the decision not to make himself available for Super 14 rugby next year, and rather remain on the sevens circuit for another year, because he felt this would be best for his rugby career.

The Springbok coach, who attended the Sevens Tournament in George, said if he felt that if a player was good and mature enough, he wouldn’t hesitate to call him up from the Sevens side to the Springboks.

Ebersohn still dreams of one day becoming a Springbok, but feels Sevens is probably the best way for a young player to find his feet at an international level.

“It’s obviously very easy to say that I have made the right decision now, but if we had not done as well in these two tournaments, some people would have said I had made the wrong decision, but I believe my time will come,” Ebersohn explained.

He reckons he couldn’t have asked for a better coach than Paul Treu.

“Paul really is an excellent coach. I don’t think there is a better foundation for one’s career than the Sevens Team.

“Paul teaches us so much -- not only as player, but also as person. He really is someone to look up to. We work very hard and the team’s success should be attributed to him. But the other members of the management team also deserve a lot of credit,” said Ebersohn.

Ebersohn reckons the Player of the Tournament award in George could have easily gone to anyone in the team and he attributes the tries he scored to the hard work of his teammates.