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South Africa's Neil Powell is on his way to the Commonwealth Games to replace his injured Springbok Sevens team mate Marius Schoeman, who yesterday became the latest South African player to miss the Games in Delhi because of injury.

Schoeman, who earned his first Springbok Sevens colours in 2001, will return home over the weekend after a clash of heads in last night’s warm-up match against the Arabian Gulf at the Dubai College left him with a fractured eye socket.

He now joins the long list of first choice SA Sevens players who are unavailable for the Games because of injury that include Frankie Horne, Kyle Brown, Chris Dry and Branco du Preez 

Paul Treu, the Springbok Sevens coach, described the loss of veteran Schoeman as another big setback, but added he is pleased with the overall preparation of his team. The twelve-man squad wrapped up their training earlier today in Dubai, where they’ve been staying the past week to help them to get use to the high humidity factor in Delhi.

“The humidity here in the desert is actually much higher than in Delhi, so I’m confident that the team will adjust so much quicker to the Indian climate. Okkie Kruger (Vodacom Blue Bulls newcomer) has slotted in well and is learning fast, while the week in Dubai has given the other youngsters more time to settle in and to get use to our set-up, especially when travelling.

“We are all positive, in a good frame of mind and very eager to get to Delhi so that we can slot into the Games environment experience the unique multi-sport environment,” said Treu.

The Springbok Sevens will open the Sevens competition at the Games on 11 October with a match against Tonga, followed by fixtures against India and Wales on the same day.