South Africa’s most-capped Springbok Sevens participant, Branco du Preez, has retired from international sevens rugby and can go away the Blitzboks with a bouquet of profession data, gold medals and highlights.
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Du Preez made the choice after the HSBC Cape Town Sevens, the place he represented South Africa in his eighty fifth World Rugby Sevens Series event, a file for the Springbok Sevens which locations him eighth general within the historical past of the World Series.
He performed in 431 matches and scored 1 447 factors, together with 101 tries, a career-high 468 conversions and a drop purpose in a profession that noticed him clinch 24 event wins and three World Series gold medals. Du Preez additionally has a Commonwealth Games gold medal in his bag.
The 468 conversions, a Blitzbok file, is the fifth most in World Series historical past and his 431 matches performed is fourth on the all-time record.
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The 32-year-old made his Springbok Sevens debut in Wellington in 2010 and has been a Blitzbok stalwart ever since.
“My time has come to turn a new page and say goodbye to the Blitzboks team,” stated Du Preez.
“I’m unhappy to go away however enthusiastic about what’s to come back! I can not thank this crew sufficient for all the classes – each win and loss. Every trial and triumph we’ve confronted has formed me into the participant that I’m immediately.
“I’d like to thank SA Rugby and my former head coaches, Paul Treu and Neil Powell, for giving me the opportunity to represent my country. Thank you to the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport, which has been a second home to me and, of course, my team-mates, current and former. I wish the current team all of the best in the forthcoming tournaments.”
High reward for Branco du Preez
Du Preez, who additionally represented the Junior Springboks, the Blue Bulls and Golden Lions in fifteens, is at the moment in talks with a lot of potential golf equipment and unions.
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Springbok Sevens coach Sandile Ngcobo praised his former team-mate and participant.
“Everyone loves a good underdog story and the beauty of rugby is that there is a time and place for everyone, regardless of size,” stated Ngcobo.
“Usually, it’s the little guys who get run over by the massive guys or huge groups over small groups, however Branco du Preez is an unadulterated instance of pure approach, coronary heart and his sevens profession proves him victorious.
“My first impression of Branco du Preez was formed when watching basic and rules footage the place coach Neil used as him for instance. He made Solomon King, one of many largest New Zealand gamers on the sevens circuit at the moment, appear like a 50kg participant. But in actuality, King was manner above 100kg, in comparison with ‘Bibo’s’ 78kg.
“The second is of ‘Bibo’ taking part in towards Canada in Las Vegas. Canada as soon as had an infinite ahead (Adam Zaruba), who mowed down gamers weekly. I bear in mind Adam made a line break and ran straight at ‘Bibo. The whole stadium stood up in anticipation, and ‘Bibo’ folded huge Zaruba into the commercial boards.
“It was an honour to have performed and gained championships with ‘Bibo’. I witnessed true dedication and detailed work ethic. No one wanted to inform or remind him to do further kicking, rehab, energy, or evaluation.
“He was an absolute skilled. His energy and energy (physique to weight ratio) and dedication in his roles and duties for the crew, in our system, had been an epiphany of what surfaced on the sector particularly in touch and stress moments.
“Most importantly, Branco was a warrior, a person of integrity and a crew man. I treasure our recollections, the issues I’ve discovered and our friendship. He’s a real instance of what our Blitzbok system creates and lives out by way of our tradition and our actions on and off the sector – inspiring hope and being pioneers of greatness.
“It’s been a privilege to have coached and worked with a legend of the Sevens game. Thank you Branco ‘Bibo’ du Preez,” Ngcobo concluded.
SA Rugby High Performance Manager for Sevens, Marius Schoeman, stated Du Preez’s international standing is second to none.
“Not only do we celebrate a legend in South African sevens rugby, we celebrate a legend in world sevens rugby circles,” stated Schoeman.
“Branco is respected by top international opponents – both on and off the field – and it was indeed a privilege to have been a part of his career. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”