1
South Africa send out warning to HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series rivals
South Africa’s Blitzboks sent a warning to their men’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series competitors by storming to an eighth Emirates Dubai 7s title in the season’s first tournament.
ADVERTISEMENT
Australia dominated the women’s competition as well, winning every match to claim the title and their first Series gold medal since 2018, after a 22-7 victory against Fiji in the final.
Argentina won bronze in the men’s event with a 19-12 win over Olympic champions Fiji‘s new-look squad, while Olympic silver medalists France won the women’s bronze with a stunning 40-0 victory over Russia.
Saturday was the fourth Dubai final appearance the past five years for the South Africans, during which time they also defeated Fiji (2016) and New Zealand (2017 and 2019) to be crowned kings of the desert. Furthermore, their latest triumph took South Africa’s number of tournament wins in Dubai to a record tally of eight.
What makes the team’s performance over the weekend more remarkable is that they had to make do with only 11 fit players for much of the two-day tournament, as a result of injuries to the experienced duo of Ryan Oosthuizen and Muller du Plessis. They had already travelled to Dubai without several regulars who were not considered for the trip because of injuries.
Blitzboks coach Neil Powell praised his team for delivering improved performances when it mattered on the second day.
“I’m obviously very happy with today’s performances, especially after our discussion last night when we said we had to work better in our system,” said Powell, who cautioned that his players won’t rest on their laurels.
ADVERTISEMENT
“We wanted to look after the ball and to be better in defence and attack. Today we were clinical and it was an amazing performance by the team to beat such a strong USA team.
“We will obviously do a review of our performance and see in which areas we can improve. There’s always room for improvement and we will be hard on ourselves to make sure we are mentally and physically ready for next weekend.”
The team’s improvement was also highlighted by skipper Siviwe Soyizwapi, who finished the tournament with seven tries.
“I am really proud of the guys and the effort,” said Soyizwapi. “We took a while to get into our stride, on defence and attack, and we showed glimpses of how we wanted to play yesterday. So, I’m really glad we could peak at the right time in the final.
ADVERTISEMENT
“We are blessed with some great playmakers and we have a really good balance, however, there is always room for improvement. Even though the final (performance) looked so crisp, there were some defensive lapses and we let in a try.
“So, we will come back next weekend and hope to carry that (momentum) over to the next tournament.”
Soyizwapi added although the team played far away from home, they felt the South African support all the way.
“This week we couldn’t have any fans in the stadium and I know they would have loved to be here,” he said.
“But to everyone who watched us on television and getting up early to see us play, it’s really appreciated and we felt (the support) all the time over here.”
Ronald Brown, playing in only his third World Series tournament, was one of a number of standout players for the Blitzboks and he praised the hard work of the team throughout the weekend.
“Although we had the momentum, the hard work never stops,” said Brown, who scored three tries and five conversions in the final and was named the HSBC Player of the Final afterwards.
“It is obviously special for me so be scoring some tries and my journey just reminded me how grateful I should be, to be able to play after an absence of two years.”
Earlier on Saturday, the Springbok Sevens team displayed great attacking precision and defensive efficiency as they beat Australia by 29-5 in their quarter-final in the morning, and then booked their place in the final with a 17-7 win over Argentina.
Tries by JC Pretorius, Soyizwapi (2), Selvyn Davids and Tiaan Pretorius paved the way for a comfortable win over the Aussies, while Soyizwapi and Pretorius were again on the scoring sheet in the semi-final win over Argentina, with debutant Shilton van Wyk also dotting down his first World Series try.
In Cup final, where the USA had no answer for the Blitzboks’ clinical play, sharp attack and strong defence, Brown was joined on the score sheet by Pretorius, Selvyn Davids and Shaun Williams.
Comments on RugbyPass
I've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
7 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
43 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
7 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
7 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
7 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
7 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
7 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to commentsA long held question in popular culture asks if art imitates life or does the latter influence the former? Over this 6 nations I can ask the same question of the media influencing the thoughts of its audience or vice versa. Nobody wants to see cricket scores in rugby, as a spectacle it is not sustainable. With so many articles about England’s procession and lack of competition it feeds the epicaricacy of many looking for an opportunity to pounce. England are not the first team to dominate nor does it happen only in rugby, think Federer, Nadal, Red Bull or Mercedes, Manchester Utd, Australia in tests and World Cups. Instead of celebrating the achievements why find reasons to falsify it pointing towards larger playing pool, professional for a longer period or mitigate with the lack of growth in other nations. Can we not enjoy it while it is here and know that it won’t last for ever, others coveting what England have will soon take the crown, ask the aforementioned?
6 Go to comments