Blitzboks thrilled to have veteran Afrika back for World Cup: 'He impresses me every time I see him'

Sevens legend Cecil Afrika has made a sensational return to the Blitzboks after the injury-hit South Africans sent an SOS to the veteran player for the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Cape Town this weekend.

The Springbok Sevens squad boasts three bronze medal survivors from the 2018 event, namely skipper Siviwe Soyizwapi, Selvyn Davids and Ryan Oosthuizen.

The Blitzboks have a familiar look to their squad, with 10 players who were in action at the victorious Commonwealth Games in England included. Only Dewald Human and Zain Davids are absent due to injury.

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According to Blitzbok management, the return for Afrika was weeks in the making with the 34-year-old last donning the colours of the Blitzboks in 2020.

Afrika, the all-time leading Blitzbok scorer in the World Series with 1 462 points, has played for Monaco in the professional Extenso Super Sevens league in France in recent months. It is this game time that has made the call-up all the more smoother for Blitzboks management.

"I'm proud and grateful for the opportunity to wear the green and gold again. It's truly a privilege to have an opportunity to represent South Africa at a World Cup," Afrika said of his inclusion.

The Blitzboks are automatically in the round of 16 and will play either Germany or Chile at 19:03 on Friday.

Best of our ability

"I'm committed to my roles and responsibilities on and off the field, whether it is carrying water or chatting to the guys about what they need to do or even if it's me coming onto the field, I'm really looking forward to going out there and enjoying myself.

"We'll go out there and do what we know we can do to the best of our ability. That's what the coaching