Cape Town – Three months ago, Cecil Afrika proposed to his longtime girlfriend, Adrielle Armoed, in the wilderness.
When he received a phone call from Blitzbok coach Neil Powell a few of weeks ago, the South African Sevens legend had another vital question to pose to his now-fiancée.
“My fiance’ and I were on our way to look at wedding venues, menus, flowers, etc., when I received a phone call from coach Neil, asking me to come out of international retirement for the World Cup. I turned to my fiance’, but she already knew I was going to say ‘Yes,’ and now I am here and quite excited. So, you could say I’ve had a few significant “Yes”s over the past few months,” Afrika told the media prior to his return at the Rugby World Cup Sevens, which begins on Friday in Cape Town.
Two years ago in Vancouver, Afrika (34) competed in his 66th and ‘last’ competition with the Blitzboks. Since then, he has traveled to the United States and is presently playing for the Monaco 7’s squad in the Extenso Super Sevens competition.
The Principality of Monaco on the south coast of France is an ideal fit for Afrika, who is Sevens royalty with two World Series-winning Blitzbok titles (2017 and 2018), Commonwealth Games gold (2014) and Olympic bronze (2016) medals as his crown jewels.
Powell, who ironically will be competing in his final Sevens competition before joining the Sharks as Director of Rugby, was seeking this broad expertise when he contacted the experienced playmaker.
“I am quite appreciative for the opportunity to return. I never imagined returning to this location. I am quite excited for the next weekend. The group has welcomed me with open arms. There is considerable vigor. The young boys are keeping me young. “I am simply trying to contribute on and off the field,” stated Afrika.
What is the burden of keeping the World Cup Sevens trophy in South Africa and joining Siya Kolisi’s 15-man Boks as world champions?
“Pressure is an honor. Not everyone has this opportunity. “This is coach Neil’s last tournament, and it could be my last tournament, so we try to concentrate all of our energy in the proper direction and not be distracted by what is going on around us,” he explained.
“We are, of course, human, and we must ensure that we are concentrating on the correct things. We don’t play every weekend in front of our family and friends, so this is something pretty unique and wonderful. Now we have a World Cup in front of our loved ones, and maybe we can send coach Neil off with a grin on his face and joy in his heart for all the years he has put into Sevens.
The Blitzboks will begin their Rugby World Cup Sevens campaign on Friday at 7:03 p.m. against either Chile or Germany at DHL Stadium.