Then and Now: Selvyn Davids
SPOTLIGHT: A try-scoring machine
The phrase used to describe the then 18-year-old Nico Malan captain Selvyn Davids.
The skipper was not only a formidable stepper but also a reliable goal-kicker - scoring no less than 150 points in 13 matches (14 tries, 31 conversions and six penalties) ahead of the interschool derby against Framesby in 2012.
With his blistering pace and an accurate boot, one knew this fleet-footed young boy from Jeffreys Bay was destined to dazzle the world.
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Davids represented Eastern Province at all youth levels. In 2007, he played for them at the Under-13 Craven Week competition and in 2010, he played at the Under-16 Grant Khomo Week.
He also played in the Under-18 Craven Week tournaments in both 2011 and 2012.
That same year, he received a call-up to the South African Schools side in 2012, unfortunately, he did not make the final squad.
Nonetheless, he continued to play the game he loves so much and after his youth career, Davids played for the Eastern Province Kings, Dispatch and Griffons.
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In 2016, things gradually started changing as he made the switch to sevens.
That year he was invited to the SA Rugby Sevens Academy following a superb display at the SA Rugby Interprovincial Sevens tournament and in 2017 was promoted to the BlitzBoks squad, unfortunately, he sustained an injury on debut in Hong Kong.
In 2018 he got another shot when he was selected for the 2018 Hong Kong Sevens tournament.
He grabbed the opportunity with both hands and produced an impeccable display, scoring eight tries in six matches which saw him awarded the gong as MVP of the popular tournament in the Far East.
Davids was also the only South African included in the Hong Kong Sevens Dream Team at the end of the tournament and was part of the BliztBoks team, who won a bronze medal at the Rugby World Cup Sevens in that same year.
The 26-year-old’s Blitzboks career includes 19 tournaments, 390 points, 39 tries, 96 conversions and one penalty, and to top that NO yellow or red cards.
Compiled by Leezil Hendricks
@Leezil07
@rugby365com