Springbok Sevens playmaker Cecil Afrika has called time on his illustrious career of 12 years as a Blitzboks stalwart.
Cecil Afrika career
Afrika is the Blitboks top points scorer of all time, with 1462 points to his name. He played in 66 HSBC tournaments, with a total of 345 games. His debut was in Dubai in 2009 and his final tournament was in Vancouver in 2020. He holds a Commonwealth Games gold medal as well as an Olympic bronze medal. He was the World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year in 2011.
His contract runs out at the end of July and it was decided between the player and SA Rugby that this would the end of the road. Unless…
Olympic Games
Afrika’s contract was not renewed due to the current lack of international rugby due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes the Olympic Games Sevens tournament that was to have been played in Tokyo Japan. Afrika has indicated that he would make himself available should the Blitzboks require his services, in whatever capacity.
Blitzboks coach Neil Powell said that they agreed a year ago already that Afrika will make his swansong in 2020:
“We extended his contract last year in order for him to have a shot at making the Olympic squad, but with that being postponed to next year, that option cruelly fell away and is not available anymore.”
Cecil Afrika after rugby
Afrika is in business with two of his former teammates, Kyle Brown and Philip Snyman. They established the Eighteen Coffee brand.
According to Afrika:
“I am enjoying growing Eighteen Coffee and we’re excited to see what the future holds for our business.”
Cecil Afrika has played a large role in the Blitzboks success over the last decade. He will be remembered as a true South African great in the Sevens code. The South African talent scouting team would do well to deliver more of his class.
Statistics and quotes courtesy of SA Rugby
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