BEWARE OF SA TEAMS: Kenyan captain Amonde warns ahead of Safaricom Rugby Sevens kick off

Andrew Amonde of Kenya (left) tackles Bryce Heem of New Zealand during the Rugby Sevens quarter-final match between Kenya and New Zealand at Ibrox Stadium during the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on July 27, 2014. [PHOTO:AFP]

South African sides will be the teams to watch during the September 26-28 Safaricom Safari Sevens at Kasarani Stadium.

National Sevens team captain Andrew Amonde has said South Africans take the tournament seriously and that is why South African Rugby Union has kept on involving their elite players in the competition over the years.

“The South Africans know the magnitude of the championship and the depth it has in honing skills of young players ahead of various international championships,” Amonde told FeverPitch on Friday.

Western Province, Sharks, Golden Lions and Boland Cavaliers are the South African sides that have confirmed participation in the Safaricom Safari Rugby Sevens tournament.

“It (Safari Sevens) is a development tournament that assist young players get exposure as they blend with experienced old guards,” said Amonde.

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The skipper said the Safaricom Safari Sevens has grown in leaps and bounds to the point that it now attracts different world-class teams and players across the globe.

New teams that are taking part in this year’s edition of the event are Argentina, Canada, New Zealand’s Auckland Metro, and England’s Samurai.

Kenya are in Pool ‘B’ with South Africa, Wales and American Samoa.

Pool ‘A’ has New Zealand, Samoa, France and Japan, while Pool ‘C’ has Fiji, Australia, Scotland and Portugal. Pool ‘D’ has England, Canada, Argentina and USA.

“The event’s growth in stature has influenced more foreign teams as it is a forum coaches use to pick their squads for various international assignments,” said the Kenya Captain.

While appealing to Kenyan rugby fans to turn up in large numbers and cheer the local teams, Amonde said: “The tournament allows fans to watch the likes of Humphrey Kayange, Collins Injera and Sydney Odhiambo live and this inspires the young players.”

On the International Rugby Board series that begins with the Gold Coast Sevens in Australia on October 11-12, Amonde said all pools are tough and they will be out to fight for better results.