After injury setbacks late last season, rising star Gino Cupido is hopeful of a Blitzboks recall for the next two SVNS stops.
Cupido is almost reluctant to talk about his rugby goals for 2026 because, so far in his short career, just about everything he has wished for has already come true.
The 20-year-old outside centre capped a remarkable 2025 by collecting two gold medals, winning World Championships with both the Junior Boks and the Blitzboks. To complete a memorable year, the Sir Lowry’s Pass Village resident also made his Currie Cup debut for Western Province.
That momentum stalled towards the end of the season, however, when a series of niggles and injuries ruled Cupido out of selection for the opening two tournaments of the new SVNS campaign in Dubai and Cape Town.
Much to his own relief – and that of Blitzboks head coach Philip Snyman – Cupido’s rehabilitation went smoothly, and he is now available for selection for the next two tournaments on the circuit, in Singapore next weekend and Perth a week later.
Gruelling sessions at the Stellenbosch training base, combined with sharp performances in training matches against Kenya last week, confirmed his fitness. Now Cupido waits anxiously for squad confirmation for the back-to-back tournaments.
Cupido made his Blitzboks debut in Hong Kong last year, scoring with his first touch of the ball. He went on to add three more tries over the weekend, and when he returned from the Far East to link up with the Junior Boks for their Junior World Championship campaign in Italy, there was a growing sense that no stage seemed too big for the Western Cape youngster.
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Keen to return to the sevens arena, Cupido hopes he has done enough to earn selection, with the squad set to be announced later this week.
“I really love playing for the Springbok Sevens,” said Cupido after another gruelling training session. “It is a wonderful team to be part of, the team spirit is great and as they have shown in Cape Town recently, they are capable of winning under huge pressure. I would love nothing more to go out and play with them.”
Being fit again has come as a major relief for Cupido, who is eager to play his part in another strong season for the Blitzboks.
“Yes, the injuries were a bit of a let down as I wanted to get back into the team after winning the world title with the Junior Boks as well. Now, I am ready and it will be very rewarding for me if I get selected.”
Along with Cupido, Snyman will also have Siviwe Soyizwapi available for selection. However, Ronald Brown, Selvyn Davids, Dewald Human and Quewin Nortje will not be fit in time for Monday’s departure to Singapore, where the Blitzboks face Great Britain, Spain and Fiji in their pool.
Photo: Misha Jordaan/Gallo Images
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