SA star Afrika sent to hospital

Springbok Sevens star Cecil Afrika injured his ribs during South Africa's 31-7 Pool B victory over Japan on Friday and is a doubt for the rest of the Gold Coast Sevens tournament.

The Blitzbokke recorded their second victory of Day One at the Gold Coast Sevens - having earlier beaten the United States 17-12 - but may have paid a big price for the win, with Afrika going to hospital to have the extent of his rib injury assessed.

Afrika has reportedly been diagnosed with a rib fracture, which is bad news for last season's IRB Sevens Player of the Year and his team.

"He is going for a scan and we will just wait and get feedback from our medical team," was the comment from his coach Paul Treu, after the pool decider against Australia.

"It is better to have him on the park and part of the Series. I don't want to pre-empt things but if he is fit to play and cleared by our medical team then he will definitely be picked," added Treu.