Sweet and sour for Blitzboks as Olympic qualifiers loom

The Blitzboks assemble in Stellenbosch this week as they prepare for their final camp in the build-up to next month's Olympic Games qualifying tournament that takes place in Zimbabwe.  

READ | 'Justice' in Owen Farrell saga a myth as issue merely confirms rugby's disciplinary disconnect

Sadly, there's both good and bad news on the playing front. While South Africa welcomes back talismanic playmaker Rosko Specman on a short-term deal, Blitzbok captain Siviwe Soyizwapi will be out of action for some time after suffering a serious knee injury. 

Soyizwapi injured his knee in a warm-up match last weekend and has undergone an operation already. The unlucky wing faces the long road to recovery that will hopefully see him back on the field in nine months. 

For Springbok Sevens coach Sandile Ngcobo, the news of Specman's return was a silver lining to the dark cloud that is Soyizwapi's injury. 

Ngcobo will also have to cut his current training squad to 14 players on Friday, as the fine-tuning for the Rugby Africa Sevens Olympic Qualifier will start in earnest next week. 

"It is really sad for Siviwe. He is such an incredible leader in the team, and his record on the world stage speaks for itself," said Ngcobo.

"There is not much you can do about injuries, as they are part and parcel of rugby, and our focus for him will be to make sure his recovery and rehab goes as smoothly as possible."

The return of Specman comes at an appropriate time for the Blitzboks.

"Rosko is a senior player, and those in the squad have a lot of respect for him and what he can add, so to have him back is great. 

"His abilities are well-known, and it is clear from my conversations with him that he is very keen to contribute to the system again. He brings energy,