Backline players Dewald Human and Gino Cupido have been recalled to the Blitzboks European tour squad for the final two HSBC SVNS World Championship events in Spain and France, head coach Philip Snyman confirmed on Thursday, 21 May 2026.
Read more: 2 uit 2 sover vir Blitzbokke in Singapoer
Snyman’s selection rationale
According to a press release issued by SA Rugby, both players missed the opening World Championship event in Hong Kong last month due to injury. They have since recovered and are set to feature in the back-to-back tournaments in Valladolid and Bordeaux.
Snyman said the strong squad gave the selectors a wider pool to choose from, with only Christie Grobbelaar (calf), Nabo Sokoyi (shoulder) and Zander Reynders (shoulder) ruled out.
“I had some tough decisions to make but opted for Dewald as an extra flyhalf option given the back-to-back tournaments, while Gino replaces Donavan Don at centre, where we are looking for a bit more height in the midfield and a slight change in approach in that position,” Snyman said.
In addition, the coach credited the team’s medical staff for getting so many players match-fit in time for selection.
Milestone tour for Human and Van Wyk
Furthermore, both Dewald Human and Shilton van Wyk are set to reach the 35-tournament mark when the Blitzboks arrive in Bordeaux for the second leg of the trip.
“That is a benchmark in our team, so it will be a special moment for both, something that will be shared by all, as well as those who did not make the squad,” said Snyman, who added that players who stayed behind deserved credit for their work in training.
Pool A challenge in Valladolid
South Africa, who won the opening World Championship round in Hong Kong, have been drawn against Great Britain, Kenya and Australia in Pool A at Estadio Jose Zorrilla. The Blitzboks open their Valladolid campaign against Great Britain on Friday, 29 May at 12h34 SA time, followed by Kenya at 17h08. Their final pool match against Australia is scheduled for Saturday, 30 May at 13h23. All Pool A matches will be broadcast live on SuperSport.
According to Snyman, the team does not target specific opponents but focuses on what it wants to execute on the field. He noted that lessons from Hong Kong had been used to sharpen training intensity ahead of the European leg.
Full Blitzboks European tour squad
The Blitzboks European tour squad, with HSBC SVNS career stats, is as follows:
- #2 Ryan Oosthuizen – 63 tournaments, 285 points (57 tries)
- #3 Impi Visser (captain) – 51 tournaments, 240 points (48 tries)
- #4 Zain Davids – 58 tournaments, 255 points (51 tries)
- #7 Ronald Brown – 25 tournaments, 505 points (51 tries, 125 conversions)
- #8 Selvyn Davids – 47 tournaments, 793 points (107 tries, 129 conversions, 1 penalty)
- #10 Dewald Human – 33 tournaments, 330 points (30 tries, 90 conversions)
- #11 Siviwe Soyizwapi – 65 tournaments, 805 points (161 tries)
- #12 Shilton van Wyk – 33 tournaments, 370 points (74 tries)
- #14 Quewin Nortje – 13 tournaments, 165 points (33 tries)
- #16 Sebastiaan Jobb – 9 tournaments, 80 points (16 tries)
- #19 David Brits – 16 tournaments, 60 points (12 tries)
- #24 Tristan Leyds – 18 tournaments, 236 points (30 tries, 43 conversions)
- #31 Jayden Nell – 2 tournaments, 0 points
- #35 Gino Cupido – 3 tournaments, 30 points (6 tries)
The official press release and downloadable audio notes from Philip Snyman are available on the SA Rugby website. Issued by SA Rugby Communications.
