Esterhuizen in Bok Sevens squad

Ikeys outside center Mark Esterhuizen has been added to the South African Sevens training squad ahead of the 2010/11 IRB Sevens Series and the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

Mark has a great opportunity to force his way into SA Sevens coach Paul Treu’s reckoning ahead of the new IRB Sevens Series season, whilst there is also the small matter of the Commonwealth Games in India this September.

The 18-man SA Sevens squad – which includes a host of regular, contracted players – will spend most of the next couple of days undergoing medical and fitness tests and then commence with a conditioning programme to get them in shape for on-field training from the start of August.

Aside from newcomer Esterhuizen, Sevens regulars Kyle Brown and Paul Delport – more senior players in Paul Treu’s squad by now and both Ikeys – are also in the mix.

The Springbok Sevens training squad: Chase Minnaar, Frankie Horne, Chris Dry, Kyle Brown, Neil Powell, Paul Delport, Cecil Africa, Ryno Benjamin, Hoffman Maritz, Renfred Dazel (all SARU contracted), Lubabalo Mtembu, Brian Shabangu (Sharks), Boom Prinsloo (Free State Cheetahs & Shimlas), Jacques Engelbrecht (SWD), Bernado Botha (Golden Lions & UJ), Mark Esterhuizen (Ikey Tigers), Siyanda Grey (EP), Tom Seabela (Blue Bulls).