South Africa secure miracle comeback victory against Fiji in extra-time final to claim Los Angeles Sevens title
South Africa have snatched victory out of the jaws of defeat in a colossal extra-time final clash against Fiji to claim the Los Angeles Sevens title.
The final victory is a much-needed one for the South Africans, whose last tournament victory came in December when they won the event in Dubai.
Since then, two final defeats in Cape Town and Sydney sandwiched a shock 10th place finish in Hamilton, but the Neil Powell-coached side overturned their fortunes in thrilling fashion against a rampant Fijian team that ran in three tries in the opening five minutes of the final.
Continue reading below…
When Vilimoni Botitu, Sevuloni Mocenacagi and Napolioni Bolaca scorched over for the trio of tries in quick succession, it looked as though Fiji were on track for back-to-back tournament titles after winning in Sydney last month.
However, a response through captain Stedman Gans on the stroke of half-time gave the Blitzboks a glimmer of hope as they headed into the break down 19-7.
Emotional scenes for the @Blitzboks at the #LASevens.
Just look at how much that final win meant to them. ?? pic.twitter.com/xucpCp45YR
— HSBC SVNS (@SVNSSeries) March 2, 2020
Speedster Selvyn Davids closed the gap further when he capitalised on some quick ruck ball to score early in the second half, but Fiji hit back almost immediately from the re-start when star man Jerry Tuwai dotted down in the corner.
With time running out, a stolen lineout followed by a penalty for a poor tackle laid the platform for Chris Dry to score a vital try in the closing stages to bring the score to 24-17.
Declining the conversion attempt to take the re-start quickly proved to be a masterstroke move by South Africa, who retained possession with mere seconds left on the clock from a high-hanging Branco du Preez kick-off.
It was Du Preez, who came on as a substitute for Davids in the final minute of regulation time, who stole the show for the Blitzboks, as he drew in a couple of defenders and stretched out for an injury time try in the wake of Waisea Nacuqu’s yellow card for a high tackle.
Du Preez slotted the long range conversion to send the match to extra-time, which started in Fiji’s favour after South Africa were pinged for a breakdown infringement.
The men in green redeemed themselves, though, as they ploughed through a Fijian ruck to win the ball back, and some patient build-up play eventually allowed substitute Sakoyisa Makata to run in the decisive try unopposed to clinch an unlikely victory.
This was the moment the @Blitzboks secured their second Cup win of the season in dramatic fashion.
Popcorn at the ready… ?#LASevens #DHLRugby #ImpactMoment pic.twitter.com/pMkByJH3Yy
— HSBC SVNS (@SVNSSeries) March 2, 2020
The win keeps South Africa hot on the heels of World Sevens Series leaders New Zealand, who beat Australia in the bronze final to finish third and maintain their place at the top of the overall standings.
Fiji, meanwhile, have moved up two places to slot into third place, overtaking defeated quarter-finalists France and England in the process.
The World Sevens Series now moves to Vancouver, which will host the sixth leg of the series next weekend.
World Sevens Series Standings
1 – New Zealand (93 pts)
2 – South Africa (89)
3 – Fiji (72)
4 – France (67)
5 – England (64)
6 – Australia (62)
7 – USA (60)
8 – Argentina (53)
9 – Ireland (45)
10 – Canada (40)
11 – Kenya (29)
12 – Scotland (29)
13 – Samoa (28)
14 – Spain (23)
15 – Wales (11)
16 – Japan (9)
17 – South Korea (1)
In other news:
Comments on RugbyPass
AI is only as good as the information put in, the nuances of the sport, what you see out the corner of the eye, how you sum up in a split second the situation, yes the AI is a tool but will not help win games, more likely contribute to a loss, Rugby Players are not robots, all AI can do if offer a solution not the solution. AI will effect many sports, help train better golfers etc.
45 Go to commentsIt couldn’t have been Ryan Crotty. He wasn’t selected in either World Cup side - they chose Money Bill instead. And Money Bill only cared about himself, and that manager he had, not the team.
25 Go to commentsYawn 🥱 nobody would give a hoot about this new trophy. End of the day we just have to beat Ireland and NZ this year then they can finally shut up 🤐
13 Go to commentsTalking bout Ryan Crotty? Heard Crotty say in a interview once that SBW doesen't care about the team . He went on to say that whenever they lost a big game, SBW would be happy as if nothing happened, according to him someone who cares would look down.. Personally I think Crotty is in the wrong, not for feeling gutted but for expecting others 2 be like him… I have been a bad loser forever as it matters so much to me but good on you SBW for being able to see the bigger picture….
25 Go to commentsThis sounds like a WWE idea so Americans can also get excited about rugby, RUGBY NEEDS A INTERNATIONAL CALENDER .. The rugby Championship and Six Nations can be held at same time, top 3 of six nations and top 3 of Rugby championship (6 nations should include Georgia AND another qualifying country while Fiji, Japan and Samoa/Tonga qualifier should make out 6 Southern teams).. Scrap June internationals and year end tours. Have a Elite top six Cup and the Bottom 6 in a secondary comp….
13 Go to commentsThe rugby championship would be even stronger with Fiji in it… I know it doesen’t fit the long term plans of NZ or Aus but you are robbing a whole nation of being able to see their best players play for Fiji…. Every second player in NZ and AUS teams has Fijian surnames… shame on you!!! World rugby won’t step in either as France and England has now also joined in…. I guess where money is involved it will always be the poor countries missing out….
84 Go to commentsNo surprise there. How hard can it be to pick a ball off the ground and chuck it to a mate? 😂
2 Go to commentsSometimes people just like a moan mate!
1 Go to commentsexcellent idea ! rugby needs this 💪
13 Go to comments9 Brumbies! What a joke! The best performing team in Oz! Ditch Skelton for Swain or Neville. Ryan Lonergan ahead of McDermott any day! Best selection bolter is Toole … amazing player
12 Go to commentsI like this, but ultimately rugby already has enough trophies. Trying to make more games “consequential" might prove to be a fools errand, although this is a less bad idea than some others. Minor quibble with the title of the article; it isn’t very meaningful to say the boks are the unofficial world champions when it would be functionally impossible for the Raeburn trophy not to be held by the world champions. There’s a period of a few months every 4 years when there is no “unofficial” world champion, and the Raeburn trophy is held by the actual world champions.
13 Go to commentsIts a great idea but one that I dont think will have a lot of traction. It will depend on the prestige that they each hold but if you can do that it would be great. When Japan beat the Boks (my team) I was absolutely devestated but I wont deny the great game they played that day. We were outclassed and it was one of the best games of rugby I have seen. Using an idea like this you might just give the the underdog teams more of an opportunity to beat the big teams and I can absolutely see it being a brilliant display of rugby. They beat us because they planned for that game. It was a great moment for Japan. This way we can remove the 4 year wait and give teams something to aim for outside of World Cup years.
13 Go to commentsHi, Dave here. Happy to answer questions 🥰
13 Go to commentsDon’t think that headline is accurate. It’s great to see Aus doing better but I’m not sure they’ve shown much threat to the top of the table. They shouldn’t be inflating wins against the lousy Highlanders and Crusaders either.
3 Go to commentsSuch a shame Roigard and Aumua picked up long term injuries, probably the two form players in the comp. Also, pretty sure Clarke Dermody isn’t their coach. Got it half right though.
3 Go to commentsOh the Aussie media, they never learn. At least Andrew Kellaway is like “Woah, yeah it’s great, but settle down there guys” having endured years of the Aussie media, fans, and often their players getting ahead of themselves only to fall flat on their faces. Have the “We'll win the Bledisloe for sure this year!” headlines started yet? It’s simple to see what’s going on. The Aussie teams are settled, they didn't lose any of their major players overseas. The Crusaders and Chiefs lost key experienced All Blacks, and Razor in the Crusaders case, and clearly neither are anywhere near as strong as last year (The Canes and Blues would probably be 3rd & 4th if they were). The Highlanders are annually average, even more so post-Aaron Smith and a big squad clean out. The two teams at the top? The two nz sides with largely the same settled roster as last year, except Ardie Savea for the Canes. They’ve both got far better coaches now too. If the Aussies are going to win the title, this is the year the kiwi sides will be weakest, so they better take their chance.
3 Go to commentsThe World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. This must have been the rationale when the World Cup was created, surely? But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
13 Go to commentsWhat’ll happen when the AI models of the future go back in time and try to destroy the AI models of the past standing in their way of certain victory?
45 Go to commentsThanks, Nick. We (Seanny Maloney, Brett and I) just discussed Charlie as a potential Wallaby No 8, and wondered if he has truly realised how big he is in contact (and whether he can add 5 kg w/o slowing down). Your scouting report confirms our suspicions he has the materiel. No one knows if he has the mentality (as Johann van Graan said this week about CJ, Duane and Alfie B) to carry 10-15 times a game.
58 Go to commentsHe would be a great player for the Stormers, Dobbo should approach the guy.
3 Go to comments