• • Facebook
  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • Technorati
  • Reddit
  • Stumble Upon
  • Furl

Neil Powell has returned to the Springbok Sevens squad for next week's Rugby World Cup in Dubai, SA Rugby announced on Wednesday.

Powell missed all four of the IRB World Sevens Series tournaments so far because of a broken arm and his return to the team is a major boost for Paul Treu's side. He was the regular team captain before his injury, but Mpho Mbiyozo will retain the captaincy.

Powell replaces Howard Noble who played in Wellington and San Diego. Speedster Lionel Mapoe, replacement for the injured Mzwandile Stick (hamstring) in the USA Sevens, keeps his place in the team.

Treu welcomed back his former captain and said that apart from his obvious leadership qualities, that Powell will also add much needed physicality to the squad.

"We gave Neil a good run-out on Tuesday night against Hamiltons and he came through with flying colours. I know he cannot wait to get back into action, but we will have to manage him carefully," said the coach. Apart form Powell, Treu has decided to stick with players who have shown a commitment to sevens rugby instead of the 15-man version of the game.

“We are not going to consider players who want to now suddenly play sevens because it it’s the World Cup,” said Treu.

Last week it was reported that an accomplished sevens player like Stefan Basson, who is currently playing club rugby in Italy, made himself available for selection for the World Cup tournament. Treu believes only South Africa, New Zealand, England, Fiji, Argentina and Samoa have a realistic chance of winning the title.

“Like we already saw in the IRB series, the smaller teams have the ability to cause a few upsets, but I believe there are just six sides that can go all the way to win the World Cup.”

South Africa World Cup squad: Mpho Mbiyozo (captain), Gio Aplon, Ryno Benjamin, Kyle Brown, Renfred Dazel, Paul Delport, Robert Ebersohn, Frankie Horne, Lionel Mapoe, Neil Powell, Philip Snyman, Vuyo Zangqa.