The Blitzbokke have never won this prestigious event and Springbok Sevens coach, Paul Treu, is demanding a huge effort from his team in the Far East as he wants to close the gap on overall series leaders New Zealand, who are also sharing the same pool in Hong Kong alongside USA.
Wales will go into the match knowing South Africa have been struggling with injuries to key personnel. Kyle Brown, Paul Delport, Boom Prinsloo and Chris Dry, have all been hampered with various ailments while the men in green will also be missing in-form Steven Hunt – who has stayed behind in Cape Town to attend a family funeral.
Wales, who have just seen last year’s try-scoring sensation Alex Cuthbert star in this season’s RBS 6 Nations championship for Warren Gatland’s Grand Slam heroes, are confident they have unearthed another gem in teenager Will Thomas.
The Filton College fly half will make his Sevens bow this weekend in the Far East with Wales team manager Dai Jenkins predicting a bright future for the Bristol product.
“Will is a class player and I have no doubt he can make an impression on the Sevens circuit. He is a really exciting talent and I’m sure he will handle the atmosphere in the most famous Sevens tournament in the world,” said Jenkins.
Thomas has made two appearances for Bristol in the British & Irish Cup this season, and he is eagerly awaiting his big chance.
“It hasn’t really sunk in yet,” said Thomas. “I’m so proud to have been selected. We’re in a really tough group with the likes of New Zealand and South Africa so it will be an incredible experience testing myself against some of the World’s best Sevens players,” said the 18-year-old.
This year’s Hong Kong showpiece features a changed format, which is set to provide the most competitive ever tournament.
While the current 12 core teams compete in pools A, B and C for the famous Hong Kong title, 12 other nations will start in Pools D, E and F and battle it out for three additional core team berths to compete on each round of next year’s Series.
Wales squad: Will Thomas, Harry Robinson, Lee Williams, Alex Walker, Dan Fish, Owen Williams, Ifan Evans, Rhys Shellard, Craig Price, Richie Pugh, Adam Thomas, Richard Smith.
