The value of the @lantic 7's series for schools proved its worth once again!

Jacques Erasmus, a young player from Brandwag in Benoni have been included in the Springbok 7's training squad.

This follows on last year's inclusion of another @lantic series player, Gerhard Van Den Heever, who was subsequently snapped up by the Bulls Super14 franchise.

According to Darryl Weir, coach of the @lantic Invitational team that won the 2008 Dubai Overseas International competition, "this is not a surprise to those in the know as there is tremendous talent that come though the @lantic 7's series every year and there are plenty more outstanding players that will step up to the professional structures in the near future".

Well known sport promoter, Willem Strauss, pointed out that "Jacques Erasmus is a typical example of talented young players that fell through the cracks when his province's Craven Week team was selected. Through the @lantic 7's series, Jacques was noticed and he grabbed the opportunity with both hands when he was selected for the @lantic Invitational team to Dubai.

@lantic Marketing Director, Dederick Venter, is over the moon as can be expected. According to Venter, "the series have exceeded our wildest expectations and we could not have asked for a better return on our investment. The series gave us an opportunity to promote our brand but more importantly we have the opportunity to give back to our community. Exposing 400 schools and 4500 kids to 7's rugby will result in a 7's culture that can only bode well for Paul Treu. We believe that Paul's biggest challenge to date was that he did not have a wide base of players to select from. Bringing the boys through from school level will give him an opportunity to identify talented players early and pull them into the squad thus building depth that will make SA the controlling force in world 7's rugby".

With the IRB 7's World Cup during next year and the Bok's back to back victories in the IRB series, the country is gripped in 7's fever and everyone will be looking forward to next year's 7's action.