The Springbok Sevens have assembled in Stellenbosch in preparation for critical phase of their 2017-18 season.
On the horizon for Neil Powell's charges is the seventh tournament of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, in Hong Kong on 6-8 April and representing Team South Africa at the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia on 14-15 April.
In order to prepare adequately for both assignments, Powell has decided to take a two-phase approach with two different squads preparing for the separate events.
As a result, SA Rugby Sevens Academy coach Marius Schoeman will take charge of the Hong Kong-bound squad, which will contain a number of uncapped players eager to represent the Blitzboks for the first time. Powell, meanwhile, will prepare the squad that will travel to Gold Coast as part of Team South Africa.
"We looked at the schedule and the demands and decided to go for this approach," said Powell. "It was not feasible for us to have the same squad playing at both events, as we had too many injuries to leading players and need more time for them to be integrated back into the squad.
Powell will be able to count on players such as Justin Geduld, Werner Kok, Rosko Specman and Ruhan Nel in the bid to retain Commonwealth Gold, as they are all in the final phase of recovering from injury. The team, will though be without Kwagga Smith (Vodacom Super Rugby) and Seabelo Senatla (injured) for the Australian trip. As such, even the 'A' squad will feature some recently capped players.
"One of our objectives was to broaden our base of talented youngsters by giving them playing time on the circuit and this is just such an opportunity. I was very pleased with the way a number of youngsters performed in Vancouver, so this is another chance for them to gain experience and establish themselves."
The Blitzboks will face South Korea, Scotland and England in Pool C in Hong Kong. Schoeman will name his travelling team on 29 March.