Blitzboks name strong squad for Dubai season opener, Grobbelaar and Don back

Head coach Philip Snyman has added experienced stalwarts Christie Grobbelaar and Donavan Don to the team, while tweaking his leadership group as well, with Impi Visser taking over the captaincy from Selvyn Davids, who will share vice-captain responsibilities with Zain Davids.

Player of the Final in Los Angeles, Shilton van Wyk, will once again trouble defences in the outside channel alongside Mfundo Ndhlovu, with Don - fresh off an outstanding Currie Cup campaign for the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers - joining them to complete a dynamic outside back trio.

Grobbelaar, who returns to the fray after representing the Sharks in the URC last month, will add tournament-winning experience to the forwards, an area Snyman hopes they will dominate in a tough pool alongside Fiji, Argentina and France.

"Playing in the URC is a very high level of rugby, so I am happy to have Christie back and Donavan was just outstanding in the Currie Cup," said Snyman.

"They slotted back in very well, so I am expecting them to provide some magic in Dubai."

Snyman said it was tough to settle on his final squad, as the pre-season delivered fierce competition for team slots, with numerous contenders pushing for the trip to Dubai.

"Team selection for this tournament was very tough," Snyman said.

"There are four or five guys who can really count themselves unlucky for not making this trip, but in the end, I had to make a call based on time on the field in pre-season.

âœWe have some injuries as well. Gino Cupido, Quewin Nortje and Siviwe Soyizwapi will only be back in January, while Masande Mtshali just missed out due to a recent hamstring strain.â

Snyman said he plans on broadening his selection base in 2026.

"We are lucky that we have some serious talent coming through and my plan is to give several new players opportunities this season," he said.

"The 2028 Olympics seem a long way off, but the long-term planning for that is already in action.

"I plan to rotate the players in the opening six tournaments and once we hit the three tournaments in the World Championship Series, will look at consolidating the squad."

The team will depart for Dubai on Monday.

Springbok Sevens squad for Dubai 

Christie Grobbelaar, Ryan Oosthuizen, Impi Visser (captain), Zain Davids, Ricardo Duarttee, Ronald Brown, Selvyn Davids, Shilton van Wyk, Mfundo Ndhlovu, Donavan Don, David Brits, Zander Reynders, Tristan Leyds.

2026 HSBC SVNS schedule

29-30 November 2025: Dubai

6-7 December 2025: Cape Town

31 January-1 February: Singapore

7-8 February: Perth

7-8 March: Vancouver

14-15 March: New York

17-19 April: Hong Kong (World Championship Series, Rd 1)

29-31 May: Valladolid (World Championship Series, Rd 2)

5-7 June: Bordeaux (World Championship Series, Rd 3)

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