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Gas man Noble ready to light up Wellington for Boks

Monday 26 January 2009 (IRB)

Paul Treu has organised two warm up games for his Springbok sevens side ahead of their trips to the next IRB World Series tournaments in Wellington and San Diego.

Both warm-up matches, scheduled for Monday and Tuesday evening, are against Hamiltons, one of the oldest clubs in South Africa based in Cape Town. Treu had already voiced his concerns that even with the games the Boks won’t be battled hardened or ready for international competition.

"I'm quite frustrated. We've had no game time yet - we simply have to set our own standards," he said last week.

The pressures facing Treu will be eased by the welcome return of a fit again Howard Noble to the squad. Noble, who was part of the Emerging Springboks side that won last year's Nations Cup, replaces Mlindazwe Nqoro for the tournaments in Wellington and San Diego. With a side that already ripples with gas, the addition of another speedster is a frightening prospect. Both Marius Schoeman and regular captain Neil Powell remain on the injured list.

The rest of the 12-man squad is unchanged form the one that recorded a famous first victory on South African soil in December. The tournament win was the second in succession for Paul Treu’s squad, following their cup victory in Dubai, putting them 12 points clear of New Zealand at the top of the IRB Sevens Series log.

SA Sevens Squad (New Zealand and USA):
Mpho Mbiyozo (SA Sevens contracted), Robert Ebersohn (SA Sevens), Frankie Horne (SA Sevens), Vuyo Zangqa (SA Sevens), Philip Snyman (Free State), Kyle Brown (WP), Renfred Dazel (SA Sevens), Ryno Benjamin (SA Sevens), Paul Delport (SA Sevens), Mzwandile Stick (SA Sevens), Howard Noble (Free State), Gio Aplon (SA Sevens).

Players on standby:
Mlindazwe Nqoro (Sharks), Chase Minnaar (SA Sevens), Lionel Mapoe (Free State), Cecil Afrika (Griffons), Tyrone Holmes (Hamiltons RFC), Neil Papier (Boland).

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