The trio have been part of the squad during the regular season where South Africa finished fourth overall, but missed recent tournaments due to injury and for Blitzbok head coach Philip Snyman, their return boost the squad in various ways for next weekend’s tournament at Dignity Health Sports Park.
Nortje missed the tournament in Singapore, Brown’s last appearance was in the final of the Vancouver tournament and Ndhlovu was part of the all-conquering squad that claimed the South African leg of the series in Cape Town in December.
They replace Donavan Don, Dewald Human and Sebastiaan Jobb.
“Donavan and Dewald picked up injuries in Singapore and Sebastiaan is still suspended following his red card in Singapore,” Snyman explained.
“It is great to have those three back, as they all have game breaking abilities. Quewin’s pace and finishing ability out wide is very valuable, while Mfundo’s physicality in the midfield gives us more options on how we want to attack. He runs great short lines, which can set up rucks in the midfield, situations where Ronald’s pace off the mark can punish opponents. But individuals aside, it will be a team effort that will bring success or not.”
Every single Blitzbok in the squad has been part of at least one career HSBC SVNS tournament victory, something Snyman feels can be replicated in the USA.
“This format, with only eight teams competing in two pools, is challenging, but we have beaten France, Great Britain and Argentina before this year, so I am confident that we will progress to the semi-finals on day two.”
The Blitzbok coach said he has some game plans ready for the pool matches: “We have a variety of combinations available, and I am looking at the best ones for each opponent.
“We had a poor match in our last outing against Great Britain, France remain a very competitive team and Argentina have just won the series, so it will be really challenging.
“Our record in the once-off tournaments has been good though and I know we leave Cape Town on Sunday well prepared and determined to finish the season with a performance that everyone can be proud of.”
Pool A fixtures (SA times, all matches live on SuperSport)
Saturday, 3 May
21h12: France
Sunday 4 May
00h13: Great Britain
03h46: Argentina
The Springbok Sevens squad for Los Angeles (with HSBC SVNS stats):
#2 Ryan Oosthuizen - 55 tournaments, 230 points (46 tries)
#3 Impi Visser - 45 tournaments, 225 points (45 tries)
#4 Zain Davids - 52 tournaments, 235 points (47 tries)
#5 Ricardo Duarttee - 18 tournaments, 287 points (22 tries, 87 conversions, 1 penalty goal)
#7 Ronald Brown - 19 tournaments, 408 points (42 tries, 99 conversions)
#8 Selvyn Davids (captain) - 41 tournaments, 728 points (95 tries, 124 conversions, 1 penalty goal)
#11 Siviwe Soyizwapi - 59 tournaments, 790 points (158 tries)
#12 Shilton van Wyk - 26 tournaments, 240 points (48 tries)
#13 Mfundo Ndhlovu - 18 tournaments, 120 points (24 tries)
#14 Quewin Nortje - 11 tournaments, 145 points (29 tries)
#19 David Brits - 8 tournaments, 40 points (8 tries)
#21 Zander Reynders - 5 tournaments, 10 points (2 tries)
#24 Tristan Leyds - 10 tournaments, 130 points (16 tries, 25 conversions)
