Cheslin Kolbe’s cousin to make first big step into rugby following post Olympic switch
Springboks winger Cheslin Kolbe and an insert of Kayla Swarts.
One of Cheslin Kolbe’s family members is set to make their mark on rugby after switching sports following the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Double World Cup winner Kolbe is the cousin of South African track and field sprinter Wayde van Niekerk, who won gold at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games in the 400 metres.
Kayla Swarts makes sevens switch
And the sporting excellence is clearly in the genes with Van Niekerk’s sister Kyla Swarts now set to take her first big step into rugby.
Swarts represented South Africa in field hockey at the 2024 Paris Olympics but is now trying her hand at another Olympic sport after being named in the Springbok Women Sevens A team that will take part in the Emirates Dubai 7s International Invitational tournaments.
She is joined in the squad by six other new players including Danaé van der Bergh who is the daughter of ex-Springboks forward Elandré van der Bergh – who played one Test in the green and gold in 1994.
SA Rugby confirmed the news on Friday with the announcement of the Springbok Sevens A and Women’s Sevens A teams that will represent South Africa in the invitational tournaments.
“Both teams will feature a combination of experienced players and new talent for the tournament, played alongside the HSBC SVNS tournament at The SEVENS in Dubai,” the release stated.
Women’s head coach Renfred Dazel has also included five players that formed part of the squad that won the Rugby Africa Women’s Sevens title in Ghana earlier this month for the trip to the UAE.
The Springbok Women’s Sevens A team will face Georgia, France Militaire Rugby Sevens and Ireland Invitational in their pool.
Meanwhile, former Junior Springbok speedsters Joel Leotela and Duran Koevort have been named in the men’s squad which includes Olympic bronze medallist Shaun Williams and fellow world series winner Mfundo Ndhlovu.
Springbok Women’s Sevens ‘A’ squad:
1 Kemisetso Baloyi (captain), 2 Nompumelelo Mathe, 3 Leigh Fortuin, 4 Kayla Swarts, 5 Voice Ndou, 6 Shiniqwa Lamprecht, 7 Zandile Masuku, 8 Vianca Boer, 9 Anja le Roux, 10 Danaé van der Bergh, 11 Donëy Filies, 12 Asiphe Mayaba
Springbok Sevens ‘A’ squad:
1 Shaun Williams (co-captain), 2 Mfundo Ndhlovu, 3 Gideon van Wyk, 4 Gino Cupido (co-captain), 5 Zander Reynders, 6 Duran Koevort, 7 Rowan Malgas, 8 Joel Leotlela, 9 Siya Ndlozi, 10 Ntsika Fisanti, 11 Juan Smith, 12 Joubert Schoeman