Rosko Specman is ready to make magic once again for the Blitzboks in his return to the Sevens Series circuit, while offering his support to stand-in captain Selvyn Davids.
Specman was named in an experienced squad for the Dubai Sevens (2-3 December), the first of eight tournaments in a revamped series, now officially dubbed as the 2024 SVNS.
SQUAD: Specmagic ready to dance in Dubai
The 34-year-old returns to the series having last played in Cape Town in December 2020 – when the Blitzboks were still coached by Neil Powell – and brings with him the experience of two series wins and an Olympic Games bronze medal.
Speaking after the team was announced in Stellenbosch, Specman said that after a period of adapting to the new structures under head coach Sandile Ngcobo, he is ready to fire again for the Blitzboks.
“There are a few guys in the team, like Justin [Geduld], Impi [Visser], Ryan [Oosthuizen] and Zain [Davids], who were all here when I was here,” Specman said. “It’s nice to see how they have grown as players, but also how the system has changed a bit. There are new personnel with the team and the guys have adapted.
“For me, it was a bit tough in the beginning, but now the body is ready and now that the body is ready, it’s time for Specmagic!”
With regular captain Siviwe Soyizwapi ruled out for the biggest chunk of the season due to a knee injury, Selvyn Davids – who will be playing in his 30th tournament on the circuit – will step in as captain provide the necessary leadership.
Specman, who was transitioning into fifteens just as Davids was starting his sevens career, backed the 29-year-old to lead the Blitzboks astutely in Dubai this weekend.
“He had shorter dreads for one, now they are much longer than mine,” Specman joked, when asked about how Davids had grown.
“You can see that he has absorbed everything from Branco [du Preez], Cecil [Afrika] and me. You can see how he has grown. For the coaches to give him that trust, you can see it means something to him.
“Selvyn has a lot of senior players around him, but he will make the calls,” Specman added. “You know when that guy is on a high, I think the coaches want to give him that advantage and that confidence. Once he has confidence, he is dangerous.
“It’s also on me as a leader, when things don’t go his way, to help pull the guys together. My role has changed, I can’t just think of what I must do on the field, I must also think of making sure the team is ready for that first game.”
The Blitzboks open their Dubai Sevens campaign against Samoa at 8.50am on Saturday, before facing Canada at 12.58pm and then New Zealand at 6.44pm in their final Pool A clash.
Photo: Gallo Images