Late change for Blitzboks as they travel to Spain

Sunday, 24 May 2026

Late change for Blitzboks as they travel to Spain

Ronald Brown has been forced out of the Springbok Sevens squad for the HSBC SVNS World Championship tournaments in Spain and France, with Ricardo Duarttee, also a sweeper and no stranger to the national setup, called up to the travelling group that departed for Europe on Sunday.

Duarttee was a member of the victorious squads in Cape Town and Perth, where he kicked the match-winning conversion against Fiji, as the Blitzboks romped home in the HSBC SVNS Series.

For Duarttee the late inclusion means that he will also be involved in the South African charge to the HSBC SVNS World Championship crown in Valladolid and Bordeaux. The Blitzboks won the first of three events in Hong Kong last month and are leading the standings that will determine the overall winner early next month.

His recall felt like a prayer being heard, Duarttee said: “The highs of Perth aside, I was not in a good place then and had to take some personal responsibility to improve on some of the decisions I was making at the time.

“It took a while, but I managed to do that. I had some self-reflection and my change in attitude was for the better. I am very grateful for this belated opportunity, and I hope I can deliver the performances and role in the team that is expected of me,” he added.

Blitzbok head coach Philip Snyman earlier recalled Gino Cupido and Dewald Human to the travelling squad.