Award puts a target on my back – Kok

World Rugby Sevens player of the year Werner Kok expects to be singled out for special attention by rival teams when the 2015/16 Sevens World Series gets under way.

World Rugby Sevens player of the year Werner Kok expects to be singled out for special attention by rival teams when the 2015/16 Sevens World Series gets under way.

Published Dec 1, 2015

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World Rugby Sevens player of the year Werner Kok expects to be singled out for special attention by rival teams when the 2015/16 Sevens World Series gets under way in Dubai on Friday.

“The award puts a target on my back,” the SA Sevens finisher said yesterday from the team’s base in Dubai. “It’s something that they’re going to strive for; they will look at videos and they’ll target me.”

Last month, 22-year-old Kok beat out compatriot Seabelo Senatla and Fiji’s Semi Kunatani to become just the second Blitzbok to win the most prestigious individual award in Sevens – Cecil Afrika was recognised in 2011.

“It definitely gives me confidence,” said Kok. “It makes me think with an open mind and to know that I can play the game gives me a bit of comfort.”

That is certain to change in a hurry when South Africa square up against Pool B opponents Samoa on Friday. The Blitzboks finished the 2014/15 series in second place and Kok’s award, combined with the fact that South Africa won in Dubai last year, means that opponents will have their sights trained on both parties from the first whistle.

“This tournament is a big one – it’s the first one of the year and there are expectations of me and the team because we’re defending champions,” he said.

“But I put any thoughts of the award behind me a week after I won it because I knew that the hard work lay ahead. If I play my game and block that out it’ll help a bit, so I’ll be focusing on the small things because I still want to be better than last year.”

The two-day Dubai event, the first of 10 stops on the Sevens World Series circuit, will be followed on December 12-13 by the South African tournament, which will be hosted at Cape Town Stadium for the first time.

Springbok Sevens squad for the opening World Series tournaments in Dubai and Cape Town: 1 Chris Dry, 2 Philip Snyman, 3 Francois Hougaard, 4 Kwagga Smith, 5 Werner Kok, 6 Kyle Brown (captain), 7 Cheslin Kolbe, 8 Ryno Benjamin, 9 Justin Geduld, 10 Cecil Afrika, 11 Seabelo Senatla, 12 Juan de Jongh - Cape Argus

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