World sevens legend Ben Gollings is ready to rock and roll at the inaugural NBM 7sPL tournament in George next weekend and the World Series leading points scorer cannot wait to play at Outeniqua Park again.
Gollings, who scored an incredible 2 652 points in the England shirt on the World Series, will play for the All Stars team when the tournament kicks off on December 14.
“I have never played in a tournament like this at invitational level,” Gollings said.
“The only tournament I can think of with that kind of prize money is Hong Kong. It’s great for sevens and shows it growth.”
He is based in Sri Lanka where he is coaching the country in 15s and Sevens.
“It’s great to be coming back to George. I think the ground has one of the most spectacular back drops,” he said.
“The town and the surrounding are stunning and there is plenty to do and visit.
“I think it is the start of a new era in sevens and I’m really looking forward to how the tournament plays out.”
He said George attracted a big crowd and he looked forward to seeing all the supporters back out to watch sevens where you get to see the big names playing together rather than against each other.
“I expect the rugby to be tough and competitive on the field,” he said.
“I would love to still be playing at the top level of Sevebs. It all finished a bit too quickly for me and I really miss it.
“It’s always hard watching and if I ever had the opportunity to play again at the level I would definitely consider it strongly.”
He felt England sevens was in a transitional phase at the moment and said they had not had a good start to the season but hoped they would do better this weekend in Port Elizabeth.
“It will be a tough pool for them. It would be nice to see them back to winning ways.”
TEAMS FOR GEORGE:
Blue Bulls: Shaun Adendorf, Andre Warner, Roelof Smit, Jason Kriel, Jacques Rossouw, Christiaan de Bruin, Cornelius Cooper, Jesse Kriel, Daniel Kriel, Travis Ismaiel, Rohan Janse van Rensburg, Clayton Blommetjies. Coach: Fielies Coetzee
Boland Kavaliers: Philip van Zyl, Ben Venter, Ashton Constant, Ntando Kebe, Deston Wellman, Eric Zana, Tythan Adams, Thor Halvorsen, Garth April, Brendon April, Dual Erasmus, Albert Trytsman, Adi Jacobs, Franzel September. Coach: Abie Davids
Cheetahs: Ryno Benjamin, Robbie van Schalkwyk, Marnus Schoeman, Torsten van Jaarsveld, Leon Karemaker, Boom Prinsloo, Pieter van Zyl, Sarel Pretorius, Willie le Roux, Barry Geel, Raymond Rhule, Philip Burger, Kevin Luiters, Hansie Graaff, Johann Sadie, Tertius Daniller. Coach: Hawies Fourie.
Kaizer Chiefs: Wilhelm Koch, Bom Samaai, Breyton Paulse (capt), Wandile Mjekevu, Jongi Nokwe, Gareth Krause, Junior Bester, Elmo Thomas, Cameron Jacobs, Friedrich Lombard, Adrian Jacobs. Coach: Gcobani Bobo
Lions: Ruan Combrinck, Derick Minnie, Claude Tshibidi, Andries Coetzee, Robin Coetzee, Whestley Moolman, Morne Laubscher, Ruhan Nel, Jacques Nel, Ross Cronje, Senzo Shabalala. Coach: JP Ferreira
Living Ball: Jonathan Mokuena, Reg Muller, Wendal Wehr, Alshaun Bock, Marius Delport, Dean Heymans, Shaun Davids, Donnovan Marais, Berty Visser, Earl Lewis, Stefan Terblanche, Dirk Dippenaar. Coach: Freddie Grobler.
Mighty Mohicans: Justin Peach, Christopher Juries, Julian Erasmus, Richard Prinsloo, Mark Winter, Josh Basingthwaighte, Tiger Bax, Jeandre Blom, NW Smit, Karlo Aspeling, Juan Smit, Andre Smit, Stefan de Villiers, Chris Cloete, Izak Saaiman. Coach: Dawie Snyman
NBM All Stars: Stefan Basson, Ben Gollings, Zar Lawrence, MJ Mentz, JW Jonker, Juan Swanepoel, Danwell Demas, Rosco Specman, Jaco Bouwer, Deon Helberg, Danie Dames, Bok Barnard. Coach: Jimmy Stonehouse.
Samurai International: Pieter Engelbrecht, Kwagga Smith, Carel du Preez, Jack Wilson, Jack Welsch, Shannon Rick, Justin Geduld, Werner Kok, Seabelo Senatla, Derich Badenhorst, Henk de Ridder, Sergio Torrens. Coach: Marius Schoeman
Sharks: Terra Mthembu, Brynard Stander, Subura Sithole, Peet Coetzee, Anton Verster, Gouws Prinsloo, Milo Ngoro, Mzo Mbona, Calvin Karnezos, Garath Meikle, Sean Robinson, Jaco van Tonder, Sizo Maseko. Coach: Roelof Kotze
Vikings: Jonathan Adendorff, Lean Schwartz, Kempie Rautenbach, Fabian Juries, Mzwandile Stick, Anthony Volmink, Jacques Erasmus, Ruan Mostert, Jody Reynecke, Guy Cronje, Enrico Acker, Shane Spring. Coach: Darryl Weir
Western Province: Ryan Smith, Sibusiso Notshe, Arno Johnson, Craig Pheiffer, Kobus Van Wyk, Clearance Khumalo, Freddie Muller, Tim Swiel, Dean Hammond, Dillyn Leyds, Craig Berry, Chevandre van Schoor.Coach: Jermone Paarwater
