Bolter Brown had to defy the odds to make his dream become a reality

New Blitzboks bolter Ronald Brown has finally reached his dream of representing his country on the biggest Sevens stage, having taking part in the teams Olympic campaign and now featured in four World Series events in a row.

Brown was set to make his Blitzboks debut back in 2019 when he received the devastating news that he had stage two Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, which is an uncommon cancer that develops in the lymphatic system.

He then endured an eight month battle before he could return to the training field and fight his way back into the national teams plans.

“It has been such an honour to be back on the field after what I experienced and I am honestly so blessed to have been granted the opportunity to do what I love again,” said Brown.

“It was quite a challenge, but with the help of the Springbok Sevens management, I had an integration plan which helped me to get through all the challenges my body had faced.

“I committed 100% to the plan because I wanted to get back to doing what I love.”

Brown then made his Blitzboks debut at the Olympics earlier this year, where he featured in a difficult campaign for one of the teams considered favourites for the gold medal, but eventually settling for fifth place.

“We faced quite a few obstacles as a system, nevertheless I had an amazing experience,” admitted Brown.

“It was definitely a dream come true, especially the mere fact that the Sevens is included in such an event and being able to compete against the best in the world.”

Since then Brown made his World Sevens Series debut in the shortened 2020/21 event, which saw just two events taking place in Vancouver and Edmonton in September, where the Blitzboks comfortably triumphed to win the Covid-affected World Series, while Brown was named Player-of-the-Match in the Vancouver final.

“I was happy (to make his World Series debut) and wouldn’t have had it any other way. The Lord has my journey planned out, and everything that’s taking place is according to his will,” explained Brown.

“Receiving the player of the final award is special. The team, our game plan, and the implementation of the game is pivotal.”

Brown has since taken that form into the first of two World Series events in Dubai this past weekend and was named Player-of-the-Match in the final as the Blitzboks triumphed again, while he was also named in the tournament Dream Team.

Brown claimed his recent great form came from a simple desire to play the game.

“It will definitely have to be desire. Playing rugby makes me feel alive. I have the desire to always improve myself and perform to the best of my ability,” said Brown.

“The challenges which I had to overcome tested my boundaries and forced me to grow despite everything.”