The first phase of the Rugby Cranes Sevens training camp for the Rugby Africa 7s came to a close on Friday at Kyadondo Rugby Club in Kampala. It started on Monday at Kings Park Arena in Bweyogerere, Kampala.
Former South African 7s Captain Philippus Albertus Borman Snyman (simply known as Philip Snyman) who is assigned to support the team’s technical bench (management) expressed his delight after the conclusion of the first phase of the drills with the continental showpiece calling.
“It’s been a wonderful couple of days. I think the team came a long way,” Snyman told Uganda Rugby Union media adding that; “I think we learnt a lot, not only for me but the team and the supporting staff. It’s been a great week.”
Snyman who was in the company of Johan Van Wyk who is a Strength & Conditioning specialist coach from Stellenbosch Academy of Sports (SAS), South Africa says that the group needs to keep working hard even outside camp so as to yield fruits when the event proper kicks off.
The next phase of the camp will happen in Stellenbosch and Snyman revealed that in South Africa the contingent which will be picked for the camp will be engaged in competitive matches with local sides.
“We are looking forward to hosting them in South Africa and kicking into a new gear,” Snyman noted adding that the February phase of the camp will be very important in the build up to the continental do.
However, the players will be rotated around the various camps as the selectors try to get the right blend to make the final team for the qualifiers tournament.
The camps will see other players called up/returned to the subsequent camps so as to try keep some players playing in the league for their clubs in the Nile Special Rugby Premier League so as to strike a balance.
Meanwhile, the Africa 7s set for 23rd & 24th April will be held in Kampala. It will double as qualifiers for the 7s World Cup & the Commonwealth Games and Snyman is upbeat that the assembled players can go all the way up.
Team that was in camp:
Ian Munyani, Adrian Kasito, Timothy Mugisha, Timothy kisiga, Nobert okeny, Ivan Otema, Patrick okello, Aaron Tukei, Aaron ofoyrwoth, Alex Aturinda, Kelvin Balagadde, William Nkore and Karim Arinaitwe.
Management:
Tolbert Onyango, Timothy Mudoola, Asiimwe Samuel, Michael Wandera and Kigongo Ssebalamu.
Support staff:
Philippus Albertus Borman Snyman & Johan Van Wyk.
