The decision just needs to be confirmed at exco level, but with all the other stuff going on, no decision has been taken. Grant is keen to have rugby pin-up Bobby Skinstad's guaranteed participation for the Durban event. Skinstad was schooled in Natal and have a big following there. Grant is hoping his presence at the Grand Prix series will help the turnstiles turning. We have negotiated a three year deal with the city council in Durban and will host the next three IRB tournaments at that venue.
Sponsors are in place and things are looking good.
Three players who are expected to be awarded full-time contracts, Andries Fourie, Ricardo Loubscher and Warren Britz, meanwhile suffered injuries in the domestic Currie Cup competition. Britz hope to play within a week following a thigh strain last week, while Loubscher suffered an injury to his leg. Fourie, favourite to captain the sevens-Boks in Durban, had a sore knee, but is back in action. Other countries have problems too. With England playing Australia at Twickenham on Nov 18 and Argentina the following week, none of the senior squad will be available, though with speed merchants and sevens experts such as Paul Sampson, Ben Gollings, Rob Thirlby, Paul Sackey, Shane Roiser, Chris Sheasby and Adedeyo Adebayo in the frame England could still pick a competitive side.