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Six-man Blitzboks survive Irish scare to claim statement win in Hong Kong
South Africa have a rich history on the now-called SVNS Series but it’s safe to say this season hasn’t quite gone to plan. As one of five nations to have claimed the overall men’s title in the history of the circuit, the Blitzboks are a team that sets the bar high.
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The Blitzboks shot out of the blocks with Cup final glory in the 2023/24 season’s opening stop out in the desert for the Dubai Sevens but they’ve been unable to replicate those heroics at the following four events to date.
After failing to make the Cup quarter-finals in both Vancouver and Los Angeles, the South Africans “had a couple of hard chats” before turning their focus to the prestigious swansong event at Hong Kong Stadium.
It seems those conversations have had an impact. South Africa kicked off their quest for Cup final glory at the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens with a statement win over Series heavyweights Ireland on Friday morning.
Ryan Oosthuizen scored South Africa’s fourth unanswered try as they ran up a commanding 22-nil lead. But the match was far from over with a red card to Justin Geduld turning the Pool C fixture on its head.
South Africa won, but only just. Ireland scored three tries on the bounce but time wasn’t on their side as the Blitzboks held on for a tense 22-17 win.
“We all know that’s not the standards, the previous tournaments, that’s not the standard of the Blitzboks teams,” Oosthuizen told RugbyPass.
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“We had a couple of hard chats to one another. I think we wanted to put pride back in the jersey and definitely our first half, it looked like the old 2019/2020 Blitzbokke team.
“Unfortunately in the second half, we let them come back but we know what our standards are and we’re super pleased with that first half.
“We got a call ‘bingo.’ That just means keep the ball, it means don’t let the ball go,” he added when asked about the final play.
“Luckily that last kick-off I tapped the ball and one of our players got it and he knocked it… and that was the end of the game.
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“A bit nervous, like I said we gave them a bit of hope and giving teams hope is not good.
“I think we’re fortunate with that second half but we’re going to build off that first half.”
It’s not like the South Africans needed any extra motivation going into this event, but this weekend’s event in Hong Kong China presents them with an opportunity to join a famous list of champions.
The Blitzboks have “never won here.” But with the world-famous event set to move on from Hong Kong Stadium from next year – with this being the 30th year at the venue – there’s no better time for them to break that drought at the spiritual home of the sport.
“It’s the only tournament in all 10 tournaments, in previous years, that we’ve never won. That’s always at the back of our minds,” Oosthuizen explained.
“I think that first half we definitely showed that we’re contenders. I mean there are quality sides (like) Argentina, Fiji, New Zealand.
“Any team can beat any team. We just saw Spain beat Samoa. I think for us it’s just all focus on the next game… and then we’ll take it from there.”
South Africa’s statement victory over the SVNS Series’ second-placed side is only the beginning. The Blitzboks will also face Spain and Samoa in pool play as they chase a return to the knockout rounds.
Comments on RugbyPass
This cracked media record of aligning success or failure on head coaches is remarkable. Using the crusaders past history as an example, a more sensible observation and analysis could be that the recent head coaches had inherited a extremely successful combination of players linked to their traditional historical support of the Canterbury people. That period ended this year when the new coach was introduced to virtually a new team. And in a year where other franchises have grown much stronger than their respective past, it was always an anticipated reality that the coach and his new crusader team were up against it. Therefore, I humbly believe that unlike some commentators present, I laud coach Penny and the team for their efforts to date and I am sure given another term and with Canterbury behind them they will be riding high once more. Strange all this coming from me who lives in Taupo and a one eyed chiefs supporter. Can't wait for all future chiefs and crusader games!
6 Go to commentsGrt bench player..keep him there..
3 Go to commentsA Springbok 2-0 win: haha told you we were champions now shut up An Irish 2-0 win: the referee was under orders from world rugby to cheat us but luckily we don’t care because this is part of Rassie’s grand world Cup plan.
108 Go to commentsI hope they didn’t pay Jones fee?
2 Go to commentsTo be fair, the teams he's had to put out are reminiscent of those available to Gatland during his horrible run at the Chiefs in late 2020. Anyway, he's only got a two year contract and Wellingtonian Tamati Ellison will be ready by then, as will a lot of talented youngsters (like the Chiefs Gatland blooded). The Crusaders are planning for the long term.
6 Go to commentsGreat to see more community spending leading to higher participation in the community. It's a long road but that's a good first step.
2 Go to commentsPoetic justice for trying to sell him to Australia as another kiwi saviour coach, not ! Deans was just as bad actually but McCaw and Carter covered up for him. That’s why they didn’t want him as All Black coach, even after Graeme Henry’s bumbling effort in 2007.
6 Go to commentsSACK HIM !
6 Go to commentsSafas are so triggered by Ireland. 3 consecutive losses, incl RWC. 8 losses out of last 12 Tests. Always excuses, of course, with Bok fans. Now Rassie with his “88%” nonsense, the Claytons Excuse is an embarrassment to Bok teams of the past when every test mattered. Their fickle mojo will be on edge for the Ireland tour. Have the referees been appointed yet ? They will need security. Have WR laid out strict guidelines for TMO’s and replays on the stadium screens ? Will the constant stoppages from Bok forwards for cramps and bootlaces be tolerated ? We’re not talking a dominant Springbok team here, they won the LOTTO Cup and they know it whether they admit it or not. The Disney doco has their fans positively fermenting internally, its going to be a nasty hangover if they get beaten on home soil. What will the excuses be then……
108 Go to commentsGreat role model.
2 Go to commentsOne significant tell, not a single Waratahs player stopped to whinge to the ref about Finau’s tackle. They got on with playing the game. Great tackle.
8 Go to commentsWouldn’t be a bad move if Ireland pulled into SA with a young side. Particularly in Pretoria. Invaluable experience getting thumped in the bosveld.
108 Go to commentsIreland. The Princess Diana of Rugby. I never cheered so much for a team as i did for the All Blacks in that QF.
108 Go to commentsWill be great to see the Leinster first XV back in action again after their cotton wool time…
1 Go to commentsLooked up Grant Constable on google and reply was doppelgänger for Ben Smith
108 Go to commentsIt is so good that we now all get excited and debate who is best and emotionally get involved. We all back our teams which is great. Up until about 15-20 years ago, NZ was basically on its own, and then Saffa, Aussie and sometimes French and English were there. We now have at least 5-6 really top sides and another 4 who keep improving. This is so healthy. So we should not resort to rubbish comments and unhealthy debate, but rather all be chuffed that the product we watch is not competitive, exciting and often uncertain. It would be so good if World Rugger could find a way to align the rules to professional players as well as spectators. Live rugby games are SO boring as there is SO much down time as we wait for refs and TMOs and whoever else to look at every small event going back endless phases with the hope of eventually find a minute infringement to then decide cancel what was a wonderful try. This is the ultimate cork back in the bottle moment and feels like every balloon is always being popped. Come on- we must be better with the rules.
108 Go to comments“upon leaving said establishment I tripped over a stool knocking some bottles into the air and as I fell I accidently dislodged a police officer’s teaser who was passing by on an unrelated matter there by landing on said taser which caused it to discharge 50,000 watts into me. Out of shock I shouted Ireland are going to win the world cup. Upon waking up I apologised for the distress caused by my Ireland comment. The matter is closed. If you wish to pursue this matter may I remind you what I told Wayne Barnes when he sent me off. I AM A BIG ASS MAN”. Or was it “I AM A BIG ASS, MAN” or was it “I AM A BIG ASSMAN”?
2 Go to commentsThe only championship the Boks hold are: Great value for the incompetence of referees during the RWC Moaning endlessly and champions of spewing utterly ignorant 💩 at all times. Displaying the dangers of a third world education End of.
108 Go to commentsSouth Africa and Rassie do a phenomenal job of treating the 4 years in between World Cups as nothing more than a training exercise to build squad depth. The Six Nations money that keeps Irish rugby afloat is unfortunately too important to allow the same approach, and basic population size means we'll never get close to matching the depth of South Africa, England and France. That being said, Irish rugby is in a relatively good place and slowly improving inch by inch. If the other three provinces can pull the finger out and actually develop some players it'd be even better.
108 Go to commentsGood on Clarke for taking on the criticism and addressing his deficiencies, principally his laziness.
3 Go to comments