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‘We never take it for granted’: Blitzboks go coast-to-coast to stun France
South Africa will play Australia in a blockbuster men’s quarter-final at SVNS Singapore after the Blitzboks went coast-to-cast to score a match-winning try in a thriller against France in pool play.
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The Blitzboks and France were both unbeaten from two starts going into the Pool B clash at the National Stadium, and they appeared equally as desperate to keep their winning run alive.
Following day one wins over play-off-bound Samoa and Samoa, both South Africa and France readied themselves for a mammoth contest between two Titans looking to develop momentum.
It was one-way traffic for South Africa for about 12 minutes, but then Les Bleus Sevens hit back with an Aaron Grandidier double and another try to Jean Pascal Barraque in a two-minute burst.
France had seemingly done enough to steal the contest as they set up for one last restart, but South Africa sent the crowd into a frenzy by running practically 100 metres to score the match-winner.
Dylan Sage, who returned to the Blitzboks’ sevens set-up about three weeks ago, joked about the almost-sideways swan dive that snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.
“I’m not known very well for my diving technique. I don’t score many tries,” Sage quipped in an interview with RugbyPass. “I don’t score a lot but to score a try like that is special.”
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It was a moment that felt like it’d been coming for a while. South Africa have struggled for consistency during the 2023/24 campaign but sent a message before Madrid with that performance.
The Blitzboks won the opening tournament of the season in Dubai with a win over Argentina, but they haven’t come close to repeating those heroics since – missing the quarter-finals twice.
Unbelievable scenes 😱
A last gasp 100 metre try secures the win for @Blitzboks 🇿🇦#HSBCSVNS | #HSBCSVNSSGP pic.twitter.com/whEX3f7uU7
— HSBC SVNS (@SVNSSeries) May 4, 2024
But it was the manner in which they dispatched of Spain on Friday that turned some heads, and their hard-fought win over Samoa later on the opening day was another step in the right direction.
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South Africa have proven they’re a “resilient” sevens force in Singapore this weekend and that seems to present an almighty challenge for Australia and whoever else stands in their way.
“That’s a character thing. We started the first half really well, made a couple of errors that second half and then got the momentum back,” Sage explained.
“That just shows the fight and the character we build again in ourselves (to be) resilient.
“I think it’s everything for us to do our country proud, we’re a proud rugby nation,” he added.
“There’s so many guys back home who wish they could be here.
“But when we put the jersey on we never take it for granted and that’s why we train so hard, that’s why we try and win every tournament, try and win every game – it’s not always possible but the effort is always there.
“That’s what South Africa like the most and that’s what we expect from ourselves.”
South Africa take on Australia in the fourth men’s quarter-final which is scheduled to get underway at 8:12 pm local time. The winner of that contest will play either the USA or New Zealand in the semis.
France and Great Britain will go head-to-head on the other side of the draw, with the victor set to come up against one of the Series’ top-two teams in Argentina or Ireland.
Catch up on all the latest SVNS Series action from the 2023/24 season on RugbyPass TV. SVNS Singapore is live and free to watch, all you need to do is sign up HERE.
Comments on RugbyPass
I’ve put on 4/5 kilos since the beginning of the season too. Not good kilos. Bad kilos.
1 Go to commentsSurely there’s a ‘no knobheads’ policy ?
2 Go to commentsWallaroos have no chance of beating the Black Ferns unless Canada upsets them in Christchurch tomorrow but I doubt that as well!
1 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Could the victim do a course to reverse the long term CTE damage from the cheapshot?
2 Go to commentsTruely great player. In social media and opinion pieces he was held up and flogged for the results. People wanted someone to crucify, and he was the captain. He was still an immense presence respected by his peers. His battles with Siya Kolisi belong up with with Collins vs Burger in my opinion. Unlucky to be carded in the final, but I don’t agree that his red card was the defining moment. Not when you look at the dominant performances of the Springboks (PSDT in particular.) I think Cane should be remembered for the spirit and physicality that is special to test rugby.
12 Go to commentsSam was the man until he got injured .
12 Go to comments_Crusaders versus Leinster _at the moment might be a rout! But I would like to see the Blues play Toulouse, the Hurricanes front up against Stade Francais, and the Chiefs go against Toulon.
157 Go to commentsLove it when we overlap! Promise it was not forethought.
18 Go to commentsjfc can this guy plz stay out of the news for one week
2 Go to commentsIf stormers aren’t available. Based on form and likely availability at the time of the wales Test, you’d think Masuku would be a no-brainer to start. But starting Jordan also makes sense having Masuku come off the bench to close out the game.
2 Go to commentsGlad Tom Curry not playing needs time to recover such a great player also his brother Ben how well is he playing now .
1 Go to commentsLet’s examine what might be irking the brainless E: Up until 20 years before this coming Julys tests: 16 games: 14 wins for SA; 1 win for Ire; 1 draw From 20 years until July’ tests Ireland V SA: 13 matches Ireland won 8; SA won 4; 1 draw Points scored Ireland 261; SA 189 Ave Winning Margin: Ireland 11 points; SA 4 points (away 3, home 6) Away win record: Ireland 33.33%; SA 25% Neutral matches 1: Ireland win RWC France 2023. Last SA win June 2016 (8 years ago) They boast 3 World cups in that period (they do boast). The above record is not good, probably not much better than theirs against NZ for same period. That’s why the dopey E is starting fights in his head. He will probably ship a yellow when things don’t go their way in the first test.
127 Go to commentsGoode is like a wet fart on The Rugby Pod and should be shoved aside. Jim knows what he is on about and can get on better without Goode’s nasty little cheap shots.
127 Go to commentsBrumbies will win, crusaders are pretty awful this year
1 Go to commentsThis has the makings of a good match. That’s Leinster’s second team but its a good one (stronger than the teams in SA recently). Ulster are really turning a page. Ryan back is huge, and Keenan too. This could be a cracker.
1 Go to commentsThe Farrells are one of the great father and son combinations. Andy was an RL great, and had he played Union as his first sport, I would be sure he would have been avery significant forcewas in League. And Owen, a Union great, who had he played League, would could have been a great there too i all probability. I feel my attitude to Owen has mellowed as he has aged, and in the post Jones era, evolved and shown his full range of talents. He really is an all round player, and I have wold hope his move to France will be successful. He may even be the piece in the jigsaw that Racing need to rise to challenge Toulouse and LAR. He is ofc now approaching 33 years of age but should still have enough left to make a big contribution in France for at least2/3 years.
45 Go to commentsI reckon it may be Jordan at 10 and Nohamba at 9, both players have played together alot and both have been on the Radar for a long time. After Pollard got injured in 2022 with Elton sidelined on a path of self destruction Erasmus and Nienaber indicated that the other options in the country at the time were thin but that Jordan and Manie were the 2 they were looking at. In the end Frans steyn played flyhalf, Willemse slotted in there on the end of year with Libbok as back up. Jordan was right there in the thinking back then so expect him to take the Jersey either as the starter.
2 Go to commentsHaha did he also* say it in a sarcastic teacher sort of manor or was it the petulant English snob sort of wail?
45 Go to commentsWell said Mils. It is a big boost at last having Fergus Burke back at 10 for the Crusaders. Had a great season last year as the article says. Mils is also right about captain Codie Taylor’s performance in his return to the Crusaders last week. He was all class.
4 Go to commentsLet’s make them both Capt. I think we'd get the best of both of them and it would help alleviate some of the pressures of the role. They'd have to confer over on field decisions which should lead to “ learnings “ for both. They are our two best consistent performers.
16 Go to comments