SA Rugbymag

South African rugby news, fixtures, results, video, interviews, and more. Covering the Springboks, Bulls, Stormers/Western Province, Sharks, Cheetahs, Kings and Lions, as well as schools and club rugby.

Primary Menu Search
  • Home
  • Match Centre
  • British & Irish Lions
  • Videos
  • Supabets
  • You are here: Home ∼ Afrika: I hope l leave the jersey in better position

    Afrika: I hope l leave the jersey in better position

    Afrika: I hope l leave the jersey in better position
    Published on June 24, 2020

    Retiring Blitzbok Cecil Afrika says he is grateful to have played for the Springbok Sevens team and thanks fans for their contributions and continued support during his illustrious career.

    SA Rugby confirmed on 8 June that Afrika had ended his celebrated 12-year sevens career after reaching a mutual agreement with the Blitzboks’ management.

    His national contract will run its course at the end of July and with no international matches or tournaments scheduled in that time, it means that the former World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year (2011) will bow out after 345 Sevens Series matches and with a points tally of 1,462.

    Afrika, who made his debut in Dubai in 2009, played in his final and 66th tournament for his country in Vancouver in March this year. He was part of two World Series-winning Blitzbok squads (2017 and 2018), as well as the South African team that won Commonwealth Games gold (2014) and Olympic bronze (2016) medals.

    ALSO READ: Twitter reaction to Cecil Afrika’s retirement

    The 32-year-old took to Instagram to express his gratitude for the opportunities that came his way and thanked the public for their unwavering support and for sharing the journey with him.

    ‘What would the spirit and tournament experiences be without you guys?!’ Afrika posted.

    ‘You have made every match special and always edged us on from wherever you are in the World.

    ‘I hope you enjoyed what I brought to the field in my number 10 jersey. For all the good times and the high-blood pressure moments that are all part of the game. Your continuous and relentless support always carried me through.

    ‘I sincerely hope that as South African citizens, I could make you proud and leave the jersey in a better position.’

    Watch: Cecil Afrika – Blitzbok great

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    1/12 – SUPPORTERS & FANS What would the spirit and tournament experiences be without you guys?! You have made every match special and always edged us on from wherever you are in the World. I hope you enjoyed what I brought to the field in my number 10 jersey. For all the good times and the high-blood pressure moments that are all part of the game. Your continuous and relentless support always carried me through. I sincerely hope that as South African citizens, I could make you proud and leave the jersey in a better position. #CecilAfrika #CA10 #SpringbokSevens #SA7s #Blitzbokke #Rugby7s #Blessed

    A post shared by Cecil Afrika (@cecilafrika) on Jun 23, 2020 at 12:02am PDT

    READ: What’s in our latest issue?

    Subscribe here

    Photo: Gallo Images/Getty Images

    Posted in Blitzboks, News, Sevens, Top headlines Tagged blitzboks, Cecil Afrika, NEWS, sevens, Springbok Sevens, World Sevens Series

    Post by SA Rugby magazine

    SA Rugby magazine




    ← Previous Next →

    Value added to Rainbow Cup by PSDT’s imminent return

    From a Bok perspective, the opportunity for Pieter-Steph du Toit to return...

    Playing Bok Selector: A wealth of riches at lock

    With the B&I Lions series fast approaching and key men still injured,...

    Bulls building enviable back-row depth

    The expected signing of Jacques du Plessis means that the Vodacom Bulls...

    Column: JP Pietersen was a modern-day Rolls-Royce

    JP Pietersen retired without much fanfare, but his impact on the game...

    Terblanche column: Looking after the little guys

    SA Rugby needs a new business model to benefit the big franchises...

    Local coaches facing new challenges

    South Africa’s franchise coaches face a player management challenge in a hectic...

    Top six: Best and worst foreign imports

    SARugbymag.co.za identifies six of the best and worst foreign players to play...

    Column: When context is needed

    As highlighted by the Argentina controversy, ‘cancel culture’ needs a spoonful of...

    Dark cloud hangs over WP Rugby

    The problems at Western Province Rugby are layered, and everyone involved needs...

    From the mag: Foreign Favourites

    As Vodacom Super Rugby turned 25 this year, JON CARDINELLI picks an...

    Bulls rookies to watch

    After a massive exodus of players the Vodacom Bulls will be eager...

    Analysis: The new suffocate-and-strangle game

    For the Boks to emerge as World Cup winners, they need to...

    VIEW MORE


    COVID-19 Corona Virus
    South African Resource Portal

    ABOUT

    • Contact us
    • Competitions
    • Videos
    • Player Features
    • Subscribe
    • Terms and conditions

    TOURNAMENTS

      • Rugby Championship
      • Super Rugby
      • Currie Cup
      • Varsity Cup
      • Gold Cup
      • Schools
      • Six Nations
      • Champions Cup
      • World Cup

    OPINION

    • Mallett on SuperSport
    • Cardinelli column
    • Lewis column
    • Xabanisa column
    • Borchardt column
    • Superbru

    Primary Menu

    • Home
    • Match Centre
    • British & Irish Lions
    • Videos
    • Supabets