Magnificent Sevens

What do new Springboks André Pretorius and Brent Russell have in common with All Black youngsters such as Aaron Mauger and Caleb Ralph? What is their connection to legendary Springboks such as André Joubert, Joost van der Westhuizen and Ruben Kruger?

Before you go rushing off to find some psychic or astrological link between these fine rugby players allow me to let you into the secret quickly… they are products of what could be called the Magnificent Sevens.

Pretorius and Russell are the latest outstanding players to emerge from the pared down version of the game and hopefully their arrival will finally entrench Sevens as a key building block in the development of a fully-fledged Springbok.

New Zealand and Australia have long used the mini game to introduce young players to the experience of representing their country, of “playing in the jersey” while honing their skills for the day they step up to full-blown internationals.

In South Africa we have tended to be ambivalent to the value of Sevens in spite of the fact that exceptional players such as Joubert, Van der Westhuizen, Kruger, Chester Williams, André Venter, Bob Skinstad and Breyton Paulse first appeared on the international stage in the mini game.

A man such as Venter, one of the toughest, most robust forwards of the modern era, once told me that had it not been for Sevens he might not have reached the standard he did. Schooled in the rugged milieu of Kroonstad it took Sevens to bring an edge to his handling game and give him an appreciation of the spaces.

It is interesting that in the current Bok squad, plus an exceptionally strong ‘A’ team, players such as Warren Britz, a Sevens captain, Joe van Niekerk, Conrad Jantjes and Ricardo Loubscher have been on international Sevens duty.

That is why the excitement created by Pretorius and Russell is so heartening.

Now that Sevens has been given a place in the sun with the appointment of Chester Williams as coach we can look forward to even more of their ilk to ensure that the Springboks, in the words of poet Roy Campbell “bounce and flutter and fly.”