'Proud and pumped' Ronald Brown eager to turn out for Blitzboks in front of family, local fans

Blitzbok playmaker Ronald Brown was just a spectator in the stands the last time South Africa ran out on the turf at Cape Town Stadium back in 2019.

Brown admitted that on that occasion, his emotions got the better of him seeing the Blitzboks live, and on Friday, it will be the same as he represents South Africa in the Sevens World Cup.

"I am a pretty emotional guy, so I will definitely feel that on Friday," Brown said on Wednesday.  

"The last time I was here, in 2019, I brought a friend who attended his first sevens tournament ever, and we started crying when the Blitzboks ran onto the field for that final; such a proud and awesome moment it was for us, even as a spectator. This time I am playing, it is really amazing to realise that," he added.

Brown acknowledged that those emotions would help motivate him, especially as he would be playing in front of his family. 

"I will definitely feel the emotion again, but I prefer it like that. I will be proud and pumped to play in front of my family and our supporters, which is one of my 'why's' in the game. I love playing for my country, and to do it in front of the family and supporters will be so, so special."

After 8 tournaments and 285 points for South Africa, Brown is now a Blitzboks regular and says the team want to give coach Neil Powell the perfect send-off. 

"We want to send coach Neil off with a special memory. He wants to see effort, that is what makes him happy, so that extra one percent when you are really tired will be for him," Brown said.

Brown missed the last tournament of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series in Los Angeles after he sustained a shoulder injury in Birmingham, where the Springbok Sevens won the gold medal at the Commonwealth Games, and that perked him up