Botswana upbeat ahead of rugby Sevens clash
Calistus Kolantsho | Wednesday September 21, 2016 15:54
Botswana goes into the competition after an Olympic qualifier flop that was played in South Africa last year.
They invade Kenya with a set of new players. The majority of the players who took part in the Olympic qualifiers have been dropped. The coach, Seabe Gabatladiwe told Mmegi Sport yesterday that he decided to drop most of the players from the previous team due to injuries. He said the new team comprises players who have been active in the just ended Super Rugby.
“I picked only five players from the previous team and I have selected players that I feel will do the job. The morale is high in the camp especially young players who want to prove themselves,” he said.
Gabatladiwe said the main challenge was that preparations for the competitions started late due to the league commitments. He said despite that, they are working against time to catch up. He said 15’s and Seven’s are a different ball game. He noted that with Seven’s there is a lot of space in the field.
Gabatladiwe said when he took over the team in 2013, it was ranked position 12 and moved up two positions in the same year. Botswana is now ranked position 10 in Africa. Gabatladiwe said the intention is to continue moving up the ranks.
The winner of the Rugby Africa men’s Sevens tournament, apart from the teams already qualified for the World Seven’s Series will be invited to play in the Dubai and Cape Town legs of the Sevens World Series at the end of 2016.
Gabatladiwe said they do not expect to qualify for the World Series, but all they want is to improve their ranking. He said they are aware of the challenge ahead of them.
The team:
Ketshidile Matenanga (BDF Cheetahs), Kagiso Molefhi (Cheetahs), Alphious Molefhi (UB Rhinos), James Shamwaka (Cheetahs), Kaelo Mogotsi (UB Rhinos), Koorapetse Lesotlho (Cheetahs), Thabang Moepi (Canon Jaguars), Masego Moalosi (Jaguars), Batho Pofelo (Rhinos), Lovemore Jameson (Cheetahs), Lempaletse Ngaka (Cheetahs) and Tefo Ramoraka (Botho Ryders).
Frederick Kebadiretse (BRU) and Sean Irish (team manager).