Springbok superstar considering Sevens switch after 2027 Rugby World Cup

Tristan Leyds knows better than most, that a career in rugby does not necessarily have to end on the XV-a-side pitch.

Having gone from being a sporadically used member of the Stormers squad, to the very top of the sevens game, the reigning World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year believes that established 15s stars may be tempted to follow a similar path to the faster style of the game. The South African international already has two Springboks in mind for his Ultimate Sevens club, Albion Athletic.

Asked who he would recruit from Cape Town following his own time with the Stormers, Leyds did not have to think for long, naming Springbok stars Damian Willemse and Cheslin Kolbe as two players he would love to see line up for Albion.

"At the Stormers there's quite a numerous amount of guys that I'd select to be at Albion," Leyds told RUCK, at the Ultimate Sevens launch in Cardiff. "First guy that comes to mind would be Damian Willemse, because I had a chat with him last year. He maybe joining us [Springbok Sevens] for a year for the [2028] Olympics. But he said he'll have a look after the World Cup.

"But I think the most recent addition to the Stormers would be my first bet, Cheslin Kolbe. I think having him on the pitch, even what he did back in the day, if he brings his expertise now to the game, I think get the ball straight to him, and it's a guaranteed seven points."

It may sound optimistic, but Leyds is speaking from experience. The South African's own route into sevens came after several seasons in the 15-a-side game with Western Province in the Currie Cup, and two appearences with Stormers in the URC, having operated across the backline before making the switch in late 2023.

Since then, his career has accelerated at an extraordinary rate in the shorterned version of the sport. Leyds made his South Africa sevens debut at the 2024 Perth Sevens, helped the Blitzboks to an Olympic bronze medal in Paris - falling in the semi-final to Antoine Dupont's France, and subsequently enjoyed a sensational 2025/26 campaign.

He helped South Africa win five tournaments upon that year's SVNS series and back-to-back World Championships, before being named the HSBC SVNS Men's Player of the Year and selected in the SVNS Dream Team. His journey is part of a growing trend of elite 15s players embracing sevens, particularly with the Olympic Games providing another major target.

Toulouse maestro Dupont famously switched his attention to sevens and led France to Olympic gold in 2024, while England stars Ellie Kildunne and Meg Jones have both combined successful Great Britain sevens careers with their 15s international commitments, returning to help the Red Roses win the Women's Rugby World Cup.

Leinster flyer Hugo Keenan also crossed between the two formats, to star for Ireland at the Paris Olympics, while the next cycle could see further high-profile names make the leap. The England trio of Marcus Smith, Henry Pollock and Tommy Freeman among those rumoured to be targeting a Team GB sevens role ahead of Los Angeles 2028.

For Leyds, Ultimate Sevens arrives at an interesting time. The competition's franchise structure means players from different countries and established international programmes are being thrown together, offering a fresh environment for experienced sevens players while potentially providing a pathway for 15s stars who want to test themselves in the shortened format.

And Leyds has found the experience of joining predominantly English side Albion Athletic, particularly refreshing after becoming accustomed to life within the Blitzboks setup.

"You just kind of used to the way we play at the Blitzboks, so getting that different philosophy, how Fraser [Shannon Fraser - Albion Athletic head coach] wants us to play, especially linking with guys that you usually rival with on the pitch. Now you get to share the pitch with them," he explained.

"Also, the different cultures. Getting to know everyone, kind of not their whole background, but just a bit about them brings us together and our chemistry."

That process of building a team from scratch has been one of the defining features of the Ultimate Sevens experience so far. Rather than entering a tournament with teammates who have spent years together, Leyds and the rest of Albion Athletic have had to quickly establish relationships with players they would normally regard as opponents.

"I came in late last week, so missed the first session," Leyds said. "But, just off the pitch, once we're done with training and recovery, there's always someone dropping a message on the group, wanting to meet up for coffee.

"And it's not, like I said, guys you rival with usually. So you get to see a different side of them, and you also get to hear their backgrounds and where they started off their rugby journey and the ups and downs they went through.

"Kind of gives you that connection of brotherhood, you know, something to play for."

That connection will be tested immediately when the competition gets underway, with Ultimate Sevens introducing a format that places an even greater premium on every match. The conversion system, in particular, has caught Leyds' attention, with teams able to gamble for additional points depending on the situation.

"I think throughout the game, you'll obviously have to assess what the point difference is," he said. "If you're chasing the game hard, I think risking it for that nine points, the four-point conversion, I think that would be the ultimate prize.

"But if you're in the lead, I think it's not necessary to risk it all. I think you can just add points."

It is another element that should appeal to players accustomed to the fast-moving nature of sevens, with Leyds expecting the competitive edge to emerge quickly once the opening whistle goes.

"I think the excitement's the thing that was building up even before we had our flights," he said. "Just to share the pitch with guys that you rival with, and [are] dangerous on the field, that you always want to stop.

"Like having the likes of [Vuiviawa] Naduvalo in our team is crazy. We've got, like I said, a number of playmakers. So we'll be nice to see what each guy brings to the team.

"But for now, it's all fun and enjoyment. Wednesday, Thursday, once we hit that last session before the tournament, that competitive edge kicks in. Everyone would like to say they're here for fun, but once that first game hits and that competitiveness kicks in, I think everyone wants to be champions at the end."

For Leyds, though, the benefits of Ultimate Sevens extend beyond simply trying to win another trophy. The competition has brought together players with vastly different careers and experiences, giving the South African an opportunity to learn from teammates and opponents ahead of the next Olympic cycle. That education could prove valuable as Leyds looks towards Los Angeles 2028, with the South African keenly aware that his Player of the Year award is not the end of his journey.

"Now, I think after receiving my award, I think it's out there, but I know there's still a lot to achieve, and there are guys working even harder than me," he said. "So, there might not be a target on my back, but I know some guys are going to come for me."

The former Stormers man is already considering where the next stages of his career could take him, including a potential appearance in India's Super Sevens competition next year if South Africa qualify early enough for the Olympics.

"Maybe not RPL as of next year. I would like to go play in the Super Sevens because they gave me a call probably like two weeks ago to play in the first two tournaments," Leyds revealed. "I said no because I'm coming to Ultimate Sevens, and I didn't want to, get any soft tissue injuries there, so I declined that one.

"But hopefully, in the next year, if South Africa qualifies early enough for Olympics, not like the last time, it will be great to play in the Super Sevens as well."

Leyds' own career therefore offers perhaps the clearest indication of why the relationship between 15s and sevens could become increasingly blurred. From Western Province to the Blitzboks, he has gone from provincial rugby to Olympic medalist and now the best men's sevens player in the world.

If the likes of Kolbe or Willemse — or indeed the growing list of international 15s stars considering a sevens future — were to make a similar leap, Ultimate Sevens could offer the perfect first step to get used to the demands of the sport.

For now, Leyds, and the Albion Athletic fans will have to settle for imagining what Kolbe could do in the white jersey. But given how quickly his own sevens career has transformed, it may not be quite as fanciful as it sounds.