While weighing up the pros and cons of entering the new HSBC Sevens World Series as the Sevens Player-of-the-Year, Werner Kok insisted that his main focus will be to help South Africa defend their Dubai title this weekend.
Kok faced the media in the desert state on Monday where he joined the Blitzbokke who have set themselves the target of improving on the second-place finish they achieved last season.
The Nelspruit-born player played a central role in his team’s success during their 2014/2015 campaign and knows that the prestigious award he received in London will make him a marked man.
“It (being named Sevens Player-of-theYear) puts a target on my back,” Kok said.
“It is something that my opponents are going to strive for. They are going to look at videos and they are going to target me, but I will forget about that and just focus on my game because it may even help me.”
With Sevens rugby making its debut at the Rio Olympic Games next year, many regular stars of the 15-man game have been drafted into the squad and this has fired up Kok. He said he was just “glad to make the team” and wants to make a noteworthy contribution.
