Rumours that Ryan Kankowski might play in the Sevens World Cup in Moscow were substantiated after the player was included in Paul Treu’s training squad ahead of the tournament.
Kankowski is one of five Super Rugby players included in the 21 man squad which includes Kankowski’s Sharks team mate Sibusiso Sithole, Cheetahs flyer Ryno Benjamin and the Bulls’ Sampie Mastriet and Shaun Adendorff.
The squad also sees a few players involved in the Junior World Championship; they are set to join up with the training squad once the JWC is complete. They are Justin Geduld, Cheslin Kolbe and Saebelo Senatla.
There is also a return from injury for Mark Richards, who made his way through the Sharks junior ranks before linking up with the Sevens squad. He has been out with injury for almost a year.
Sevens regulars Frankie Horne and Paul Delport will both miss the tournament due to injuries.
The Springbok Sevens World Cup training squad is:
Shaun Adendorff, Cecil Afrika, Stefan Basson, JW Bell, Ryno Benjamin, Kyle Brown, Stephan Dippenaar, Chris Dry, Branco du Preez, Justin Geduld, Hansie Graaff, Cornal Hendricks, Steven Hunt, Ryan Kankowski, Werner Kok, Cheslin Kolbe, Sampie Mastriet, Mark Richards, Seabelo Senatla, Sibusiso Sithole, Philip Snyman.
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Glad Mark Richards is back, hope he can stay fit and injury free.
@Salmonoid (Comment 1) : yes – agree. Good guy, had a bad run
I hope Kanko gets some game time. His pace and power might be exactly what we need for the Blitsbokke.
@King Shark (Comment 3) : Don’t forget his height
@Clayton(PJLD) (Comment 4) : ah yes…. he will stride like a colossus among the midgets.
@robdylan (Comment 5) : Remember the damage Victor Vito caused when burst onto the scene, and also look at the rise of the Kenyans
If HM was able to make an honest and clear statement about Kanko for not selecting him, why cant Plum do same. Dropping a guy for one perceived bad game and leaving him out of a tour party are two different things