Rosko Specman’s impressive performance at the Cape Town 7s in December has seen him included in South Africa’s squad for the upcoming tournaments in Wellington (30-31 January) and Sydney (6-7 February).
Rosko Specman’s impressive performance at the Cape Town 7s in December has seen him included in South Africa’s squad for the upcoming tournaments in Wellington (30-31 January) and Sydney (6-7 February).
Despite having been elevated to the starting lineup and scoring three tries in Cape Town, the Grahamstown-born star admitted that he had been uncertain about whether or not he would make the squad.
“It was a tough one, because I was thinking that if all the guys are back… it will be a tough call for the coach,” said Speckman.
However, the former Kingswood College pupil insisted that he was ready to seize the opportunity granted to him by Cecil Afrika’s hamstring injury, stating: “I was thinking maybe this is my chance to push the coach and to put his mind into doubt – just to show him that I’m also capable of carrying this team if they need me," he said.
Specman revealed that, although head coach Neil Powell was happy with his performance in Cape Town, he has instructed the former Sharks winger to improve his kicking.
However, Powell was still full of praise for Specman and stated, “Rosco is a quality player. He has showed it at Currie Cup level – and I’m very happy for him that at last he got his opportunity at a tournament, because he was almost involved in the last two and just missed out".
Powell described Specman’s rise as a “warning sign” to the players competing with him for the fly-half and sweeper positions with the Olympics fast approaching.
The uncapped Sandile Ngcobo has also been named in the squad to tour Australasia and will be hoping to make a impact similar to that of Speckman’s Cape Town heroics.
Like Speckman, Ngcobo, who can play at centre and wing, was in a confident mood and told the press, “Just switch on your TVs and I’m sure I’ll make you guys proud".
Philip Snyman, standing in for the injured Kyle Brown as Captain, echoed Ngcobo’s sentiments, saying, “One guy that really does deserve to be in the team is Sandile. He’s such a great guy and he worked really hard, so I’m so stoked for the guy and really looking forward to releasing him onto the pitch. He’s going to be amazing".
The full Blitzbokke squad is: Chris Dry; Philip Snyman (C); Carel du Preez; Kwagga Smith; Sandile Ngcobo; Francois Hougaard; Cheslin Kolbe; Rayno Benjamin; Justin Geduld; Rosko Specman; Seabelo Senatla and Juan de Jongh.
