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Tough Series: SVNS titans South Africa beat Australia in battle for ninth
The “margin of error” is tiny in the new-look SVNS Series, as seen in Vancouver. South Africa and Australia were left to battle it out for ninth place after a series of tough defeats.
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Both the Blitzboks and Aussie 7s emerged as some of the teams to beat on the Series during the first three events of the 2023/24 season.
South Africa beat now-SVNS Series leaders Argentina in the Dubai final a few months ago, while Australia have made the decider in both Cape Town and their home event in Perth.
But it was a different story at SVNS Vancouver this weekend. The two temporarily fallen giants finished last in their respective which just goes to show how tight this competition is.
“We started well in Dubai and then in Cape Town, sometimes we put too much pressure on ourselves to perform,” South Africa’s Rosko Specman told RugbyPass.
“As you saw in this last game, there wasn’t pressure… if you’re out of the Cup finals there’s no more pressure and then you can be yourself and that was the chat today.
“If we can just be like this, don’t put pressure on ourselves, let’s go out there and enjoy.
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“We’ve been training so hard and we know exactly what each and everyone (can do)… we can smash anyone on this circuit.
“If you look at (the results) so far, we have beaten all the teams and we are the only team that can beat all the teams.”
It all seemed be going to plan for the Blitzboks after their first match at BC Place Stadium. Matched up against arch-rivals New Zealand, the South Africans claimed a statement 21-12 win.
But from there, the going got tough. South Africa were pipped by Great Britain in their second game on Friday and were beaten again by Ireland on Day Two.
Pinpoint accuracy from Davids to set up Specman for the try 📍#HSBCSVNS | #HSBCSVNSVAN pic.twitter.com/7D2vxaSPW0
— HSBC SVNS (@SVNSSeries) February 25, 2024
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South Africa bounced back with a win over hometown favourites Canada in the ninth-place semi-final, but saved one of their best performances for last against the Aussies.
Australia, who had a bit of a point to prove themselves, were no match for the Blitzboks who won comfortably 24-7.
“We went out guns blazing in the first game against New Zealand and after that, I think our confidence was too high, we should’ve come back to zero again and start all over again,” Specman said.
“We must remember, the margin of error is so small these days. If you’re not focused enough you can lose the game.
“You can see yesterday, we came so close to playing in the Cup finals, the quarter-finals, but now we’re out.
“But you can see the fight in the guys. They fight for every point.”
Comments on RugbyPass
My only response is “Check the Scoreboard” nothing else matters.
20 Go to commentsThere is no place to hide in the front row. You win or lose each time and it selects for hard men/women and those who enjoy combat
6 Go to commentsThey might have won several different areas on the field but the one that ultimately counts is on the scoreboard. Ben Smith’s nonsense is still shown up for what it is following criticisings by his team’s coach claiming similar nonsenses and several other players as well. I am not an expert but I know All Blacks know that the game is won by the team with more points on the board than the opposition. Also the red card on Sam Cane is entirely his own fault. If they were aggrieved for having one less player on the pitch, that was their own fault, their own captain who possibly in a moment of forgetfulness tackled too high but either way it is a RWC Final, you cannot be having lapses of forgetfulness in a match like that. The fact that they were down a man for 64 minutes was their fault. And even if they did dominate the second half for 35 minutes, they had crossed the whitewash twice, they had several kicks at goal, the fact is they didn't maximize on all the opportunities they were given. The one try was disallowed, the two kicks at goal were missed, the opportunities not taken. Every tackle was made by the Springboks with so much more fervour than anyone had seen even in the Semi Final the week previously. Whatever Ben Smith says, most of what he says can be chalked down to a spoiled sport who has nothing better to say than whine and moan because ultimately the team he supports lost when it mattered most.
20 Go to commentsThere’s plenty I could write on this, I won’t stop if I really get going, so i’ll make just 2 important points. Don’t forget that SA didn’t have a hooker, don’t discount that fact. I would have taken MBONAMBI fit for the game over a yellow to Frizelle. Also you forget that NZ had the luxury of playing without pressure once the red came. Noone expected them to win and they could always fall back on 14 men if they lost. I’d also have taken 15 men NZ and MBONAMBI on the field over what transpired.
20 Go to commentsSome people in France say that JB Lafont have some problems with alcohol….
2 Go to commentsThis is awesome news. I hope he goes well.
1 Go to commentsI get that Ben's role is to attract SA readers with controversial clickbait, but what about respecting the rivalry of over 100 years? The Boks won, we lost. The Boks have now won 4 world cups since their inclusion back into international rugby, and in that time the rest of the world combined have only won 4! It's an incredible achievement. Show respect, and then hope we win 2-0 in SA later this year. But don't be a whiner; it means you don't understand the rivalry at its essence. Winner takes all when NZ plays SA. Sport in it's purest form. Long may it continue.
20 Go to commentsU Nz never ever use to be such a bunch off whining girls,now this so sad that u got this aasss writing some crap
20 Go to commentsBeautifully written.
6 Go to commentsYou can be a dominating team and still lose. The Boks know that if the ABs are a man down, they play as if they have another two players on the field. The ABs did attack, they did apply pressure, they built more plays but they did not add more points to the board. The ABs are still the most dominant team in sports today as the ABs will go for a win in every game they play. Rassie and Jacques have used the time between World Cups to build squad depth. They were also the last tier 1 nation to start playing rugby after COVID restrictions were eased and still won the series against The B&I Lions. Ben may write to persuade the reader that the Boks are not worthy of the trophy or worthy to be the best in the world but Ben, since you enjoy stats so much, you forgot the most important statistic….the score! That's the one that matters most.
20 Go to commentsNot a fan of Penney to be fair as I don’t see him able to perform at SR level. However he has stepped into a bit of a mess with so many long service players leaving. No matter how good a coach us he can’t wave a magic wind and turn young pups into Crusaders in 5 mins. Wheaven to accept this is a complete rebuild of players and culture. Have some patience just as the other teams have had in years gone by
29 Go to commentsWhat is Ben’s point exactly? Cause if it’s that the ABs should’ve won that game, then yes I think every AB fan would agree with that. But the DIDN'T. You need luck to go your way and it went the Springboks way, just as it went the ABs way in 2011. Given that this article is written 6 months after the final shows that Ben is still incredibly butthurt. Time to move on Mr Smith. Maybe join something that suits your bias… i’m thinking the Australian commentary panel?
20 Go to commentsSA players and fans calling the irish arrogant, ooh the irony!!
89 Go to commentsPersonally i’d have BB off the bench and DMac as 10. BB seems to have more ‘average’ games and less ability to mix it up on the fly than DMac,
7 Go to commentsBen’s Myth History is written by the guy who does the engraving on the trophy. Took Ben six months to write this piece.
20 Go to commentsThis article should have been written immediately after the final, not half a year later. While the content of the article is accurate with the references to the cruel bounce to Savea right before the try line, Etzebeth’s cynical infringement, and the inconsistent cards, some of the hyperbole emotional statements are unnecessary and gaslighting. The fact remains that the Springboks took their scoring opportunities. They had amazing defence throughout the entire match (limiting the ABs to one try is very respectable), their scrum was pretty good and they had quite a solid lineout despite having a part-time hooker throwing the ball in. Let’s give credit where credit is due and move forward. The Springboks won because they know how to win big games through strong defence and kicking, and they had lady luck on their side on the day. The All Blacks miraculously made the final despite everyone’s predictions and could’ve won the whole damn thing with 14 men who should’ve taken better advantage of their scoring chances and committed less mistakes (shoddy lineouts, dropped balls, some poor kicks and passing, etc), and an average coach and captain with some questionable tactics (Jordie kicking for goal late in the game from a dodgy position and perhaps the wrong game plan overall). Time to move on.
20 Go to commentsThere’s no doubt the All Blacks were the better team on the day, but it’s not enough to be better, you also have to have luck.
20 Go to commentsI dunno, Ben. It does feel a little like you are just in denial that the Springboks are really good. Good enough to win two straight world cups.
20 Go to commentsAre we still talking about the World Cup final in May? The final took place more than 6 months ago. Isn’t it time to move on?
20 Go to commentsIt looks like the trauma counseling is not helping the Ben Smith troll much. He is still trying to convince his little brain that his loser team won the RWC.
20 Go to comments