Scan confirms Challenger Series injury setback for the Springboks

The Springboks have been dealt a blow in their attempt to secure promotion for next season’s revamped HSBC women’s sevens series as midfielder Marlize de Bruin has been ruled out of next weekend’s second leg of the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series qualifier in Stellenbosch.

The South Africans were first-leg title winners last Saturday at the same host venue, but that success has now come at a price as de Bruin injured her ankle in the act of scoring versus Belgium in the final and a scan has revealed it to be serious enough to leave her in a moon boot for up to six weeks.

A statement read: “The Springboks have been dealt a blow with the news that Marlize de Bruin has been ruled out of the second World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series tournament in Stellenbosch from April 28-30 due to an ankle injury.

“De Bruin will be replaced by Jakkie Cilliers, who was part of the final 14-player squad named by coach Renfred Dazel for the two tournaments.

"De Bruin injured her ankle in the first Challenger Series final against Belgium, where she scored her third try in the tournament. South Africa went on to win the match and top the standings before this weekend’s action.

“Cilliers is no stranger to the squad. She made her Springboks sevens debut in December last year at the HSBC Cape Town Sevens and was included in the Springboks touring squad to Spain last month where she played in the Tests against Canada and Spain. Upon their return, Dazel roped in Cilliers and Libbie Janse van Rensburg to bolster the squad for the two Challenger Series tournaments.”

De Bruin said: “I went up to contest a restart and there was contact with another player in the air and I landed awkwardly. At the time, it was not that bad and I could finish the match. I went for a scan this morning [Monday], though, and the news was not great as I will be out of action for six weeks, most of that in a moon boot. The positive is that I do not need surgery, so I can start my recovery sooner.

“It is bad for me not to be able to play, but injuries are part of the sport and at least I could contribute to the first tournament win on the weekend. I will still try and contribute whichever way I can, whether it is filling water bottles or running errands for the squad and stay involved till the end of the weekend.”