He is a former World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year, a two-time HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series winner, played in 47 tournaments and scored 106 tries for the Blitzboks.
And still Werner Kok sees playing for the SA Rugby Sevens Academy side in Dubai this weekend as a step forward.
Kok missed a large chunk of the Springbok Sevens pre-season after being allowed by Blitzbok coach Neil Powell to join French powerhouse club, Toulouse, on a short-term loan and, consequently, is “restarting” his sevens career in the Academy side as they play for the Emirates Airline Dubai Sevens International Invitational Trophy.
The 26-year-old has no issues playing away from the TV cameras and on the outer fields in Dubai this time around. In fact, says Kok, this is just what he needs.
“I would love to be in contention to play in Cape Town next weekend and I am quite comfortable playing in the Academy side this week to test my legs,” said Kok as they prepared for their first clash against the Royal Jesters, an invitational side from England, on Thursday. Matches against French Military and Russia will follow on Friday.
“This is a very strong Academy side, which will help me as the standard of rugby will be high. In fact, with the depth of the overall squad this year, it is going to be very competitive. Everybody wants to be in that final squad that will go to the Olympics next year and will push very hard for a spot. I am no different.”
The fact that he played as a fresh-faced youngster for the same team at the same venue many years ago, brings back fond memories and Kok does not mind reliving them again.
“Yes, I remember coming here as a youngster,” he said with a broad smile.
“Cheslin Kolbe and Kwagga Smith were with me at that time, and I still had short hair.”
After making his international sevens debut, Kok's exploits took him to 10 iconic cities in 10 tournaments around the world a couple of times, but the visit to Toulouse was another eye opener.
“The good thing for me was to experience a different culture and I am very happy that I took that detour – I enjoyed my time there and I feel that it improved me as a player as well,” said Kok, but he doesn’t want to dwell on the past too much.
“My immediate focus is to get back on the horse here in Dubai and enjoy playing with the guys around me. It was great coming back to the family again.”
Seven Springboks who plied their trade abroad in recent years are returning to the two Gauteng Vodacom Super Rugby franc...
To build and prepare a team for a Rugby World Cup takes years – a luxury they didn’t have – and for that reason, Jacques...
SA Rugby announced a ground-breaking three-year deal on Wednesday that leading African energy brand Engen will power rug...
Siya Kolisi and Rassie Erasmus thanked South Africans for answering the Springboks’ call to help raise funds to help wit...
The Springbok Sevens team’s 2019/20 season came to an unexpected end last week when World Rugby decided to cancel the re...
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Seven Springboks who plied their trade abroad in recent years are returning to the two Gauteng Vodacom Super Rugby franchises, the Vodacom Bulls and Emirates Lions, to plough back into South African rugby.
Mr Mark Alexander, President of SA Rugby, mourned the death of former Springbok winger Cornelius Wilhelmus (Corra) Dirksen, who passed away on Friday 10 July, aged 82.
Mr Mark Alexander, President of SA Rugby, paid tribute to two former national players who recently passed away – SARU prop Matthew Napoleon and SAARB centre Skhumbuzo Oliphant.
To build and prepare a team for a Rugby World Cup takes years – a luxury they didn’t have – and for that reason, Jacques Nienaber admitted he was initially a bit sceptical, but Rassie Erasmus never had any doubts that the Boks would emerge victorious in Japan last year.
SA Rugby announced a ground-breaking three-year deal on Wednesday that leading African energy brand Engen will power rugby development programme, Get Into Rugby, and become the official fuel supplier of the Springboks, until 2023.
Siya Kolisi and Rassie Erasmus thanked South Africans for answering the Springboks’ call to help raise funds to help with hunger alleviation amid the COVID-19 pandemic, as the names of the 44 winners were announced on a live Facebook broadcast on Wednesday.
The Springbok Sevens team’s 2019/20 season came to an unexpected end last week when World Rugby decided to cancel the remainder of the series, with the Davids duo of Selvyn and Angelo making the most of the six completed tournaments.
Siya Kolisi was named as the Most Influential Person in rugby by UK-based magazine, Rugby World, adding to a list of accolades received by the Springbok captain since he guided South Africa to Rugby World Cup glory last November.
A new five-person board has been confirmed to oversee the Isuzu Southern Kings affairs until new owners are installed.
Andy Edwards, the experienced Saracens Strength and Conditioning coach, has been appointed as the new Head of Athletic Performance for the Springboks.
An “awesome spectacle” awaits fans in 2021 when the British & Irish Lions head to South Africa for their quadrennial tour, and former Springbok flank Francois Louw reckons the tourists will have a point to prove against the men in green and gold.
Seven Springboks who plied their trade abroad in recent years are returning to the two Gauteng Vodacom Super Rugby franchises, the Vodacom Bulls and Emirates Lions, to plough back into South African rugby.
Mr Mark Alexander, President of SA Rugby, mourned the death of former Springbok winger Cornelius Wilhelmus (Corra) Dirksen, who passed away on Friday 10 July, aged 82.
Mr Mark Alexander, President of SA Rugby, paid tribute to two former national players who recently passed away – SARU prop Matthew Napoleon and SAARB centre Skhumbuzo Oliphant.
To build and prepare a team for a Rugby World Cup takes years – a luxury they didn’t have – and for that reason, Jacques Nienaber admitted he was initially a bit sceptical, but Rassie Erasmus never had any doubts that the Boks would emerge victorious in Japan last year.
SA Rugby announced a ground-breaking three-year deal on Wednesday that leading African energy brand Engen will power rugby development programme, Get Into Rugby, and become the official fuel supplier of the Springboks, until 2023.
SOUTH AFRICAN RUGBY
