At long last a leading South African coach has followed his international peers in requesting the national Sevens coach to put the finishing touches on a promising player.
Springbok assistant coach Dick Muir, who is also in charge of the Lions, has asked Springbok Sevens mentor and coach Paul Treu, to take the young Lions wing, Wandile Mjekevu, into his camp.
Muir, himself is a former Sevens Springbok and represented South Africa at the 1993 Sevens World Cup and the prestigious Hong Kong tournament in 1995.
The youngster, who at times has been impressive in his Super 14 outings, will miss the Lions' last two Super 14 matches against the Western Force and the Cheetahs. "Wandile won't be considered for the Springbok squad," said Treu on Monday.
"Dick just wants us to help him with aspects such as his decision-making, communication, running off the ball and the likes."
Mjekevu, who only turned 19 in January and was still at school at King Edward School last year, is not available for the last two tournaments of the present IRB Sevens World Series. He will be with the national Under-20 side for the World Championships in Argentina at the time.
Sevens leaders over the years, New Zealand, as well as England, in particular, make frequent use of their national Sevens team to bring through young players and also to give more senior players the chance to recover from injury or a lack of form.
All Blacks wing Joe Rokocoko is a case in point. Treu has, over the past few years, also "produced" many players for the provincial side that have passed through his Sevens training camp and national team. Springboks Heinrich Brussow, Ryan Kankowski, Akona Ndungane, Juan de Jongh, Jean de Villiers.
Grant Esterhuizen, Kabamba Floors, Gcobani Bobo, Joe van Niekerk, Luke Watson, Ashwin Willemse, Jaco Pretorius, Brian Habana and Jongi Nokwe count among those who have been through the Sevens in the last seven years or so.
There are also top provincial players such as Gio Aplon, Jano Vermaak, Derick Kuun, Robert Ebersohn, Deon Fourie, Lionel Mapoe, Philip Snyman, Neil Powell, Jovan Bowles, Andries Strauss and Danwel Demas who have benefited from Sevens in recent years.
Treu, who at one stage had only five of last year's IRB Sevens World Series champion side to select for the present campaign, loses another two of the youngsters who have made great strides in recent tournaments.
Sampie Mastriet and Branco du Preez, are unavailable for the last two tournaments in London and Scotland at the end of May.
Like Mjekevu they will be in Argentina with the national under-20 side.
But Treu has the good news that three former national captains, Mzwandile Stick, Paul Delport and Neil Powell, will be available.
In an IRB Series where a lack of experience has been a major factor in the average performances by the Boks, this will be welcomed by Treu as he builds for the Commonwealth Games in September.
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