CAPE TOWN – The Springbok Sevens team called up Marco Labuschagne to replace Werner Kok for the HSBC Canada Sevens to be played at BC Place, Vancouver on 10 and 11 March.
Kok suffered concussion in the Blitzboks opening match in Las Vegas on Friday, was ruled out of action for the rest of the weekend, and is returning home on Monday.
Labuschagne, who went to Voortrekker High School in Bethlehem and made his Blitzboks debut at the London Sevens in 2017, departed for Canada at the same time.
The 20-year-old SA Rugby Sevens Academy player, who holds a dual contract with Western Province and represented their Under-19 team last year, joined the Blitzboks in the last tournament of the 2016/17 season, where he replaced Philip Snyman for the last two matches of that event.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for me and I hope to make the most of it, should I get a chance to play,” Labuschagne said shortly before his departure to Canada.
“I had a taste of what it meant to be a Blitzbok in London and have since been working hard at the Academy to make sure I am ready when called upon again. When that call came today, I was very, very happy.
“I hope to bring energy to the squad when I arrive. There is no reason why the team cannot do well in Canada.”
The South Africans top the log after five tournaments in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series and will play in Pool D in Vancouver where they face Russia, Scotland and New Zealand.