The Blitzboks have called up a replacement for Ronald Brown, who has been ruled out of the SVNS World Championship tournaments in Valladolid and Bordeaux through injury.
Ricardo Duarttee, who featured in the Blitzboks’ wins in Cape Town and Perth earlier this season, travelled with the squad to Europe on Sunday.
The versatile sweeper famously slotted the winning conversion against Fiji in Perth and now returns as South Africa chase the overall World Championship crown.
“It felt like a prayer being heard,” said Duarttee. “The highs of Perth aside, I was not in a good place then and had to take some personal responsibility to improve some of the decisions I was making at the time.”
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The 28-year-old said a period of self-reflection helped change his mindset before earning another shot in the national set-up.
“I am very grateful for this belated opportunity, and I hope I can deliver the performances and role in the team that is expected of me.”
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Blitzboks coach Philip Snyman had already recalled Gino Cupido and Dewald Human to the travelling squad.
Blitzboks’ Pool A fixtures
Friday 29 May
12:34pm: Great Britain
5:08pm: Kenya
Saturday, 30 May
1:23pm: Australia
Photo: David van der Sandt/Gallo Images
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