Sikhumbuzo Notshe has been included in the Blitzboks squad for the Australasian leg of the World Rugby Sevens Series.

Notshe, who started training with the squad in October, will travel as a replacement player.

Dylan Sage and Stedman Gans have also returned to the squad.

Sage, who missed the last two tournaments in Dubai and Cape Town due to a back injury, comes in for the injured Chris Dry while Gans replaces Branco du Preez, who picked up a hamstring injury in training last week.

‘We made the call to take Sikhumbuzo along as a reserve player in order for him to get first-hand experience of what a Sevens Series tournament is all about and he will be called upon if anyone picks up an injury,’ explained Blitzboks coach Neil Powell.

‘Dylan has been training solidly over the past couple of weeks, while Stedman was in very good form for the Academy side in South America, so I am expecting solid contributions from them next weekend. We are losing four players to their Super Rugby teams after the Hamilton tournament, so we need a strong tour in order to stay in contention for the overall title.’

The Blitzboks are currently second after New Zealand on the overall Sevens Series log. They are the defending champions in Sydney and will face Papua New Guinea, Spain and England in Pool C of the tournament, which starts on 26 January.

Blitzboks squad – Tim Agaba, Philip Snyman Dylan Sage, Kwagga Smith, Werner Kok, Kyle Brown, Stedman Gans, Rosko Specman, Justin Geduld, Cecil Afrika, Seabelo Senatla, Ruhan Nel, Sikhumbuzo Notshe.

Photo: Carl Fourie/Gallo Images