Since the World Cup, all the talk has been about the big names transferring from 15s to 7s in order to make it to the Olympics.
But in the madness surrounding the likes of Sonny Bill Williams, Quade Cooper, Bryan Habana and The Honeybadger, we forgot about some of the other capped stars who have come in to try and help their country win a gold medal.
Ryan Kankowski
The Sharks number 8 played with the Blitzbokke in 2006, before making his test debut for the Springboks.
He got his last of 20 caps in 2012, but this World Series he has been a stalwart of the Blitzbokke.
He has played with verve and speed and shown remarkable agility in the open, adding to the depth and strength of the South African Sevens side.
Francois Hougaard
Formerly of the Blue Bulls, Hougaard was capped for the Springboks 35 times and he now plays for the Worcester Warriors.
The scrum half came into the Blitzbokke side last year, alongside Kankowski, but was approached by Worcester Warriors to play for them during the latter part of their Premiership campaign.
He took their offer, on the condition that he would be able to continue his run with the Blitzbokke this year. Last week in Paris, he returned to the Blitzbokke and to great effect.
Damien Clerc
We always knew the French winger, currently playing with Stade Rochelais, was a slippery fish to catch in the open, but this season he has shown it in Sevens as well.
Cler has not been a constant presence in the French side, but he has been effective when he has played.
He represented his country in the full version of the game seven times. Over the course of the World Series, he has touched the ball down for France ten times.
Dougie Fife
The Edinburgh back three has dedicated this year to Sevens for Scotland. He had hoped to make Team GB, but Simon Amor has left him out of his considerations altogether.
It cannot be denied that throughout this season Dougie Fife has been a force to be reckoned with. He has pace and agility aplenty, and has taken to the game like few others have.
Fife has run out for Scotland on six occasions.
Juan Imhoff
Played for Racing ’92 in their Champions Cup final match against Saracens last week, but has been with the Argentinian Sevens side on and off this season.
He scored 3 tries for the Pumas during the last World Cup, and has been in everyone’s sights as one of the world’s top wingers.
He made his test debut for the Pumas in 2009, the same year he played for the Argentinian Sevens team the first time around. Due to his commitments, he has not been involved in all tournaments, but where he has, he has been electric.
Of course special mentions should go to the USA Eagles and the Canadian 7s.
Most of their players have represented their country in 15s at the World Cup last year and could probably have gone overseas to earn some money with their skills.
Instead they remained loyal to their country and worked towards the Olympics.
Paul Peerdeman, Pundit Arena
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Heineken Rugby Club celebrates and rewards real supporters who make the game what it is.
Read More About: 7s, argentina rugby, Blitzbokke, canada rugby, Dougie Fife, edinburgh, france rugby, Francois Hougaard, Juan Imhoff, olympic rugby, Olympic Sevens, pumas, racing 92, rio olympics, rugby sevens, Ryan Kankowski, scotland sevens, sevens world series, springboks, team gb, usa eagles
