CAPE TOWN – An atmosphere of gees will linger over town for the whole weekend as supporters, revellers and tourists descend on the city centre to watch the Cape Town leg of the World Rugby Sevens series.
Weekend Argus has compiled a list of five dazzling players to watch today and tomorrow.
Cecil Afrika, Blitzboks
The dreadlocked flyhalf, who also plays for Currie Cup side Cheetahs, is renowned for his ability to control and manage the pace of the game and his electrifying runs down the middle.
The national team’s top scorer has been a vital cog in the 2016-2017 World Rugby Sevens champions’ numerous achievements since his debut in 2009.
Cecil Africa during the Sevens team arrival at Cape Town International Airport, Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Perry Baker, USA
Ranks second in the highest number of career tries after Zack Test for the USA, Baker is a capable, lanky wing who captained the Eagles last year.
He helped them bag surprise scalps in the tournament last December, where he stunned opponents and the crowd with mazy runs down the right.
A crossover player from American football – he played as a wide receiver – he has been selected as a 2017 World Rugby Player of the Year Nominee.
Dan Norton, England
The leading World Rugby Sevens Series try-scorer was the key man in England’s truimph over the Blitzboks in the December final last year at the Cape Town Stadium, and also led a memorable comeback against Fiji in the quarter-finals.
He also scored a try against South Africa last year.
His consistent performances in the Dubai leg – he ran in four tries against Scotland, make him England’s go-to man.
He scored eight tries in last week’s season-opening event in Dubai.
Jerry Tuwai, Fiji
A blistering and diminutive wing, Tuwai possesses advantageous attributes for any Sevens rugby player - he’s quick and skilfully evasive.
The Fiji captain, 28, has won notable awards including Player of the Tournament World Club Sevens in 2014; Player of the Final in the USA Sevens in 2015; and Player of the Final at the Dubai Sevens in the same year.
Sione Molia, New Zealand
An eye-catching playmaker, Molia, 24, will be looking to continue where he left off – he was in sublime form in the Dubai leg last week.
Brought in to fill the big shoes of All Black centre Sonny Bill Williams in 2016 after an injury ruled the superstar out of the 2016 Summer Olympics, Molia has featured regularly in the side this year and played a pivotal role in the Dubai leg.
He is catching up guys! The 35+ tournament caps in this weekend @CapeTown7s squad for @Blitzboks @snymanphilip @WorldRugby7s @chrisdry7 @kylegbrown @AfrikaCecil #BrancoduPreez @MariussSchoeman pic.twitter.com/1CIFF1r1BY
— Springbok Sevens (@Blitzboks) December 8, 2017