All about the Sevens
Cape Town Sevens on Saturday and Sunday: Pools A – South Africa, Kenya, France, Russia; B – New Zealand, Australia, Spain, United States; C – England, Scotland, Argentina, Uganda; D – Fiji, Samoa, Canada, Wales
HSBC World Sevens Series standing after first leg in Dubai 1 South Africa; 2 New Zealand; 3 England; 4 Fiji; 5 Australia; 6 Samoa; 7 Kenya; 8 Scotland; 9 France; 10 Spain; 11 Argentina; 12 Canada; 13 Wales; 14 Uganda; 15 United States; 16 Russia
Neil Powell hopes he can keep “phenomenal” Kwagga Smith in his South Africa sevens side up until the Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2020.
Powell has named an unchanged Blitzboks squad as they attempt to add a home title at the Cape Town Sevens this weekend to the Dubai title they won on Saturday.
It will be a 29th HSBC World Series tournament for Smith, who was named man of the match after the Blitzboks beat New Zealand in the final at The Sevens.
The inexhaustible forward has commanded attention increasingly in the more lucrative XVs game recently, and he said in Dubai he wants to represent the full Springboks at the 2019 World Cup, also in Japan.
Powell, the sevens coach, says it will be difficult to retain his services in the abbreviated format, but he hopes it can be done.
“He is a phenomenal player, phenomenal in both codes – XVs and sevens – and we are blessed we have someone like him in our system,” Powell said.
“Hopefully we can hang onto him until the 2020 Olympics. I think a lot of clubs out there are probably going to throw a lot of money after him, so hopefully we can hang onto him.”
South Africa hope to win back-to-back titles at the start of the new season, a feat that only just eluded them 12 months ago.
“A good start in Dubai is definitely going to help us in Cape Town, but I think we need to put it behind us,” Powell said.
“It is a special tournament for us, playing at home in front our own fans. Last year we slipped up in the final against England.
“Hopefully we can thank the crowd for coming out by going all the way this time around.”
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Read more
World Rugby considers franchise-based series to complement World Sevens
Blitzboks coach Neil Powell says he is open to taking on the Springboks role
Dubai Sevens champions South Africa win in Wellington to extend series lead
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THE SIXTH SENSE
Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Rating: 5/5
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The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
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All about the Sevens
Cape Town Sevens on Saturday and Sunday: Pools A – South Africa, Kenya, France, Russia; B – New Zealand, Australia, Spain, United States; C – England, Scotland, Argentina, Uganda; D – Fiji, Samoa, Canada, Wales
HSBC World Sevens Series standing after first leg in Dubai 1 South Africa; 2 New Zealand; 3 England; 4 Fiji; 5 Australia; 6 Samoa; 7 Kenya; 8 Scotland; 9 France; 10 Spain; 11 Argentina; 12 Canada; 13 Wales; 14 Uganda; 15 United States; 16 Russia
