Dashing Donovan Don adds extra potency to Blitzboks ahead of season opener in Dubai

The Springbok Sevens squad is set to cause havoc at the 2026 SVNS opener in Dubai next weekend, with the devastating Donavan Don joining Shilton van Wyk and Mfundo Ndhlovu in a dynamic outside back trio.

Van Wyk, Player of the Final at last season’s SVNS World Championship in Los Angeles, tormented defences alongside Ndhlovu, and now Don — outstanding for the Boland Cavaliers in the recent Currie Cup — completes a potent backline as the Blitzboks aim to defend their California crown.

Eleven players from last season’s title-winning squad will feature in Dubai, with Impi Visser taking over the captaincy from Selvyn Davids, who shares vice-captain duties with Zain Davids. Christie Grobbelaar returns to add experience to the forwards, a unit Snyman expects to dominate in a challenging pool that includes Fiji, Argentina and France.

“Playing in the Vodacom URC is a very high level of rugby, so I am happy to have Christie back and Donavan was just outstanding in the Currie Cup,” Snyman said. “They slotted back in very well, so I am expecting them to provide some magic in Dubai.”

Despite having most of his championship-winning squad available, Snyman admitted finalising the selection was tough, with competition fierce in pre-season.

“There are four or five guys who can really count themselves unlucky for not making this trip, but in the end I had to make a call based on time on the field in pre-season,” he said.

Injuries have also played a part, with Gino Cupido, Quewin Nortje and Siviwe Soyizwapi out until January, while Masande Mtshali missed selection due to a hamstring strain.

The skipper change was a practical decision.

“Selvyn is such a key player for us and we wanted to free him up from any added pressures,” Snyman explained. “Impi has all the experience in the world and Zain or Selvyn will take over when he leaves the field. Our leadership core is very strong, but the squad is ageing and we need to build in all areas, including leadership.”

Looking ahead, Snyman plans to broaden the selection base this season. “We are lucky that we have some serious talent coming through and my plan is to give several new players opportunities.

The 2028 Olympics seem a long way off, but long-term planning for that is already in action. I plan to rotate the players in the opening six tournaments and once we hit the three tournaments in the World Championship Series, will look at consolidating the squad.”

The team departs for Dubai on Monday, ready to defend their title and set the tone for the 2026 season.

Springbok Sevens squad for Dubai:

1 Christie Grobbelaar, 2 Ryan Oosthuizen, 3 Impi Visser (captain), 4 Zain Davids, Ricardo Duarttee, 7 Ronald Brown, 8 Selvyn Davids,12 Shilton van Wyk, 13 Mfundo Ndhlovu, 15 Donavan Don, 19 David Brits, 21 Zander Reynders, 24 Tristan Leyds.