Rugby
Former Grey star Sokoyi set for Blitzboks debut in Cape Town─── MORGAN PIEK 13:58 Thu, 04 Dec 2025
The former Grey College and Free State Craven Week star, Nabo Sokoyi, is set to make his Springbok Sevens debut this weekend during the Cape Town 7s.
The 23-year-old speedster was born in Upington and schooled at the famous rugby factory in Bloemfontein. Straight after school the fleet-footed outside back joined the Bulls, where he played in a handful of games.
Sokoyi will take the place of Mfundo Ndhlovu in the only change to the squad that finished in fifth position at the season-opening Dubai Sevens in the United Arab Emirates last week.
Philip Snyman. Photo: SA Rugby
Sokoyi was in Dubai last week as well, where he played in the International Invitational tournament. The youngster becomes the latest Blitzbok to walk under the bell at Grey.
He follows in the footsteps of the likes of Ruben Kruger, Heinrich Brussow, Andries Strauss, Robert Ebersohn, JW Jonker, Boom Prinsloo, and Kevin Luiters. At the same time, the most recognised names on the Seven circuit names are Chris Dry and the current head coach, Phillip Snyman.
Sokoyi is set to become the school’s first capped Blitzbok since Luiters, who played in the 2013 Dubai Sevens. Speaking on losing the services of Ndhlovu, Snyman said it is a blow for them, but it also provides an opportunity for his fellow Old Boy, Sokoyi.
Chris Dry. Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
“We realise that we will be losing players to fifteens from time to time and we wish Mfundo well with this new chapter in his career – he has been with us since 2018, and I understand his decision to move on,” said Snyman.
“It also gives an opportunity to the wider group.
“Nabo played really well in the International Invitational tournament in Dubai last weekend, and I am confident that he will make the step-up into the Springbok Sevens.
Boom Prinsloo. Photo: X
“More new players will get similar opportunities in the remainder of the series.” Sokoyi himself will be linking up with a United Rugby Championship team in January.
Meanwhile, Snyman added that he is confident they can bounce back from their disappointing campaign in Dubai and that they are ready for their home tournament.
“We made some tweaks in our approach for the weekend, but the basics remain the same,” Snyman added.
Robert Ebersohn. Photo: World Rugby
“Ball possession and retention remain very important, and we want to improve on that from last weekend. We also want to make a big step up on defence and dominate our opponents in that aspect as well.
“The players need no motivation this weekend, for them to play at home is massive, so the focus is on execution on the field.”
The Blitzboks are in a pool with Fiji, Great Britain, and New Zealand for the Cape Town Sevens. The Springbok Sevens will face Fiji at 12:44 in their opening game at the Cape Town Stadium in Green Point.
Blitzboks squad for Cape Town Sevens - Christie Grobbelaar, Ryan Oosthuizen, Impi Visser (captain), Zain Davids, Ricardo Duarttee, Ronald Brown, Selvyn Davids, Nabo Sokoyi, Shilton van Wyk, Donavan Don, David Brits, Zander Reynders, Tristan Leyds
