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

Ryno Benjamin was withdrawn from the Springbok Sevens team because of disciplinary reasons, the South African team management announced on Thursday.

Paul Treu, the Springbok Sevens coach, confirmed the inclusion of Shaun Venter in place of Benjamin, who is one of the senior contracted players in the SA squad.

The Springbok Sevens will defend their Emirates Airline SA Sevens tournament title on Friday and Saturday at the George Sevens. The tournament is the second leg of the 2009/10 IRB Sevens World Series.

“Ryno breached our team protocol and I had to make a difficult call. We are a closely knitted family and our team culture is very important to us,” explained Treu.

“It was not an easy call to make, especially so close to the tournament, but rules are rules and the healthy state of the team is more important than any individual.

“I am very satisfied with the team’s preparations and the players are looking forward to playing in front of their home supporters,” said Treu.

Argentina call up Pedro Garzon and Rafael Parlatore for Martin Miguel Nunez Lasalle and Juan Imhoff.

Kenya have drafted in Naftali Ogolla Bondo and Andrew Amonde for Sidney Ashioya and Leon Adongo.