Former Springbok Gavin Cowley is now a renowned rugby broadcaster in South Africa and will form part of the commentary team for the HSBC Sevens World Series over the next fortnight. Here he reflects on last year, and answers our questions. 

There’s a real joy for me in commentating on the Sevens Series, especially in this double-header in Dubai and then in my native South Africa. Last year the whole fortnight left an indelible mark on many if not all of us, both in terms of the rugby and also of course what happened in South Africa.

On the pitch, Fiji lit up Dubai. They were simply unstoppable and the blind pass by Pio Tuwai for one of the tries in their demolition of New Zealand will live long in the memory. The Fijians are always playing for an entire nation when they take the field, and that was exactly the case for South Africa a week later. 

With Madiba having passed away in the week, the Blitzboks managed to hold firm, swallow their emotions and ride what was an incredible swell of support. Those days were overwhelmingly sad ones for our country, but the accomplishments of the players allowed the people to also celebrate Madiba’s life in scenes hauntingly reminiscent of the 1995 World Cup, South Africa beating New Zealand in a close-fought final.

It’s a tough act to follow and I am very much looking forward to these two tournaments. 

Q. Who is your all-time favourite sevens player?
I really have to choose three for different reasons! Ben Gollings for steadiness – he never seemed to have a bad day, an all-round contributor, excellent goal-kicker and pinpoint distributor. Very much a central figure in the England team. For sheer entertainment I would go with Waisale Serevi - the game always needs characters and he certainly was one – he was the glue that bound the Fijian team and a humble guy. At times unpredictable with little chip kicks, stepping or shrugging off tackles, he scored some great tries. The third is William Ryder, for me the quintessential sevens player, a great athlete, such a natural with a terrific sidestep, change of pace and always in attacking positions and you can take your pick from the many fabulous tries he scored and a very gifted all-rounder.

Q.  Which player on the current Series most reminds you of this player? 
I could name a few, however I believe that Seabelo Senatla of South Africa has all of the makings of an exceptional player. Speed, vision, acceleration and a flair for the unexpected – much like Serevi. Sport is as much about entertainment as anything else and I would certainly pay to watch these guys play! The series has provided a wonderful platform for player expression. Good players can really stand out with more space available than in other forms of the game. An opportunity to win an Olympic medal is the proverbial cherry on the top and we can see how competitive the games and events have become. The game is at a new level, a wonderful inspiration for young players who want to embody the Olympic ideal of faster, higher, stronger.

Q.  Do you have a special moment in sevens?
A special moment for me was South Africa winning the Port Elizabeth leg of the World Series in 2013. Our great Nelson Mandela had died some days prior to the event and it was an emotional time and a fitting tribute with his beloved Biltzboks winning the tournament.

Q. Your all-time sevens dream team?
Take your pick from these 12 : Waisale Serevi (Fiji), Vilimoni Delasau (Fiji), William Ryder (Fiji), Uale Mai (Samoa), Christian Cullen (NZ), Cecil Afrika (SA), Lote Raikabula (NZ), Tomasi Cama (NZ), Jonah Lomu (NZ), Orene Ai’i (Samoa / NZ), Santiago Gomez Cora (Argentina), Ben Gollings (England). I would love to have also found a place for Phil Mack (Canada).

Benjamin back for Blitzboks

Blue Bulls full-back Warrick Gelant will make his debut for South Africa in Dubai after being called up to Neil Powell's squad along with Cheslin Kolbe and Rayno Benjamin, two former regular Springbok Sevens stalwarts.

There is also a welcome return for regular skipper Kyle Brown, who has overcome his shoulder troubles.

"I am glad that we have Kyle back," said Powell. "A shoulder operation prevented him from playing at the Gold Coast. He is a good leader and an experienced player, and he will boost our forwards."

Kolbe and Seabelo Senatla were both standout players for the Absa Currie Cup champions DHL Western Province in the premier domestic competition, while Senatla has also been a member of the Springbok squad on their European tour over the last few weeks. He has now been released, though, to join the Blitzboks, who play pool games in Dubai against Wales, Portugal and Canada.

SA sevens squad: 1. Ruhan Nel (1 cap), 2. Philip Snyman (25), 3. Frankie Horne (60), 4. Kwagga Smith (7), 5. Werner Kok (10), 6. Kyle Brown (40, captain), 7. Branco du Preez (33), 8. Rayno Benjamin (25) 9. Warrick Gelant (0), 10. Cecil Afrika (31), 11. Seabelo Senatla (11), 12. Cheslin Kolbe (6)