The Springbok Women’s Sevens team have been dealt a blow with the news that Marlize de Bruin (centre) has been ruled out of the second World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series tournament, to be played at Markötter Stadium in Stellenbosch from 28-30 April, due to an ankle injury.
She 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.
“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,” De Bruin recalled.
“I went for a scan this morning 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 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.”
Cilliers is no stranger to the squad. She made her Springbok Women’s Sevens debut in December last year at the HSBC Cape Town Sevens and was included in the Springbok Women's 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.