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Habana and Kankowski miss the cut for the Rio Olympic Games

Springbok superstar Bryan Habana. Picture credits: Gallo Images
Springbok superstar Bryan Habana. Picture credits: Gallo Images

Springbok superstar Bryan Habana has missed out on going to the Olympic Games after he was omitted from the 12-man Blitzboks squad for Rio on Thursday.

Habana‚ who was the player of the tournament and world player of the year in 2007 when the Springboks won Rugby World Cup‚ was hoping to be part of rugby’s historic return to the Olympics next month.

But he‚ along with other fifteens Springboks Ryan Kankowski and Francois Hougaard‚ did not make the lucky dozen.

Hougaard at least will travel as one of two reserves‚ who will be based in Rio but outside the Olympic village.

Habana played several tournaments on the World Sevens Series over the past season in an effort to force his way into the squad.

He survived the first culling when the squad was trimmed to 19 players in June‚ but with several sevens specialists in the frame‚ Habana just didn't have enough time to convince coach Neil Powell that he was good enough.

Habana‚ who has already flown back to France to re-join club Toulon‚ posted a statement on social media:

“My appreciation and gratitude for getting the opportunity to have been part of the Blitzboks' 'Road to Rio'‚ far outweighs the disappointment of not making the final squad‚" Habana wrote.

“I find myself incredibly fortunate to have become a part of a very special brotherhood and to push myself further than I could imagine in making the transition to sevens while being helped every step of the way by all the members of the squad.

“To Neil‚ his coaching staff and each member of the squad‚ thanks for allowing me the opportunity to have been so warmly welcomed back into the sevens family.

“Keep on pushing each other as the final training weeks approach and go out and express your talents to the best of your ability.

“I’ll be your biggest supporter and cheering you on loudly from Toulon.”

Kyle Brown will captain the squad that also features Seabelo Senatla‚ the World Sevens Series leading try-scorer for the past two seasons‚ and current World Sevens player of the Year Werner Kok.

Springbok centre and Stormers co-captain Juan de Jongh was included in the squad alongside provincial teammate Cheslin Kolbe.

But the squad is mostly filled by sevens specialists.

Forwards Tim Agaba‚ Philip Snyman and Kwagga Smith‚ who was named in World Rugby's Dream Team at the completion of the World Series‚ are in the group.

Former World Sevens Player of the Year Cecil Afrika‚ Justin Geduld‚ Rosko Specman and all-rounder Dylan Sage complete the lineup.

Sage‚ grandson of Springbok great Doug Hopwood‚ has had a meteoric rise this year after starting the season as an unknown.

“It was really tough finalising the 12-man squad presented to SASCOC‚” Powell said.

“I could have picked three different teams and all would have been very competitive‚ but unfortunately‚ only 12 can go. We have named Francois Hougaard and Chris Dry as back-up players that will travel to Rio.

“I want to thank all 23 players that contributed this year and the final 19 who really worked hard towards a common goal. That said‚ we are not done yet and will have to work hard in the remaining 20 days or so to fine-tune our play.

“We are all excited about this as it does not come bigger than the Olympics‚ but also realise that there will be expectations for us to perform. We can only give our best and hope we can justify the great support we are getting from the public.

“We are not thinking medals‚ but rather on how to execute on our first match on day one of the tournament. We will focus on what we do well and that will hopefully bring the desired results.”

The Springbok Sevens team that will compete as part of Team SA is:

Kyle Brown (captain)‚ Tim Agaba‚ Philip Snyman‚ Werner Kok‚ Dylan Sage‚ Kwagga Smith‚ Rosko Specman‚ Cheslin Kolbe‚ Cecil Afrika‚ Justin Geduld‚ Juan de Jongh‚ Seabelo Senatla. Travelling reserves: Chris Dry‚ Francois Hougaard.

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