Boks stutter on day one

Boks stutter on day one

12 Dec 2009

The Springbok Sevens finished second in Group A to set up a difficult cup quarterfinal against Fiji at the George Sevens.

In what should have been an easy group for the hosts, the Boks and Kenya both finished on eight log points, but the latter topped the group on points difference.

This sees Kenya have an easier cup quarterfinal fixture against Australia, while South Africa will face Fiji, who knocked the Boks out at the same stage in Dubai.

The deciding fixture was the last match of day one, where the Boks drew with Kenya thanks to a last-minute conversion from Mzwandile Stick after the home side came from behind for a 12-all draw. A win would have seen them top the group.

The Boks had more scoring oppportunities but they lacked the composure to finish them off. Kenya then took a 12-point lead through two tries from a quick penalty tap and a kick and chase.

Stick then brought the Boks within reach with a try and Deon Helberg crossed the chalk in the dying moments to set up the draw.

Earlier, the Blitzboks secured a 29-5 win against Zimbabwe in their second match.

At half-time, the Boks found themselves level with their African conuterparts with the score at 5-5.

But a brace from Helberg and tries from Marius Schoeman and Cecil Afrika saw the Boks record their second win.

In their opening group fixture against France, the Boks produced a strong showing inspired by a Afrika hat-trick.

It took less than a minute for the Boks to score the first points of the game as Afrika showed great pace to run through a gap in the French defence to score the first try. Stick added the extras.

Moments later, the home side scored another try, this time through Chase Minaar after working the ball out wide.

The Boks continued to dominate the first half and kept France pinned in their own 22, forcing the errors.

This led to another three tries as Stick grabbed a brace and Afrika had another blistering run down the touchline to give the Boks a 33-0 lead at half-time.

France hit back with two early converted tries in the second stanza, but Afrika sealed a 38-14 win as he completed his hat-trick for the Boks’ only score after the break.

Springbok Sevens day one results:
South Africa 38 France 14
South Africa 29 Zimbabwe 5
South Africa 12 Kenya 12

Springbok Sevens – Paul Delport (c), Mpho Mbiyozo, Chase Minnaar, Frankie Horne, Cecil Afrika, Marius Schoeman, Kyle Brown, JW Jonker, Shaun Venter, Mzwandile Stick, Deon Helberg, MJ Mentz.

For more fixtures and results click here

By Gareth Duncan


111 Comments

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  • 1.TheTackler: Reply to this comment
    11 Dec 2009, 10:20 am

    Title #2 for NZ…

  • 2.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    11 Dec 2009, 11:07 am

    @TheTackler: Yeah, its your God given right, isnt it?

  • 3.Nils: Reply to this comment
    11 Dec 2009, 11:57 am

    @Heavens Game: No, earned on the pitch (if they win). Nothing to do with the Almighty.

    Just like your 3N title was earned by playing not praying.

  • 4.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    11 Dec 2009, 12:02 pm

    I like your condition – if they win. They havent won “Title #2 for NZ…” yet.

    Just like the Boks “earned” the 2010 3N title (if they win) by playing

  • 5.Nils: Reply to this comment
    11 Dec 2009, 12:07 pm

    @Heavens Game: Of course, “if”. Everyone from 4 – 6 teams can win in George, including, of course, the hosts who I regard as one of the main favourites.

  • 6.Nils: Reply to this comment
    11 Dec 2009, 12:10 pm

    @Heavens Game: “Just like the Boks “earned” the 2010 3N title (if they win) by playing”

    Exactly. 3N in my opionion is the most hardest tournament on Earth so winning each title is absolutely earned, there cannot be any lucky paths.

  • 7.Nils: Reply to this comment
    11 Dec 2009, 12:12 pm

    First blood to Argentina. 15-5 over Scots.

  • 8.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    11 Dec 2009, 12:12 pm

    @Nils: Who are the 4 to 6 in your opinion.

    Obviously
    1. NZ
    2. …
    3. …

    I would think NZ, SA, Samoa, Fiji, England, Argies(dont know their form).

    “Giant killers” – Wales, Kenya, Aus, France

    Ive left someone out

  • 9.Nils: Reply to this comment
    11 Dec 2009, 12:16 pm

    @Heavens Game: Main contenders – New Zealand (on form), Fiji (always there) and South Africa (hosts).

    Can sneak an upset – England, Samoa and Argentina.

    Others may spoil the party for some favuorites but that’s all.

  • 10.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    11 Dec 2009, 12:19 pm

    @Nils: England are thrashing Tunisia 33-0.

    I like Kenya – they play with a great spirit and they have beaten some good sides including NZ, SA and I think Fiji. They cant sustain it though.

  • 11.Nils: Reply to this comment
    11 Dec 2009, 12:22 pm

    @Heavens Game: Yes, I like them too. I would like to see them beating some big boys again.

  • 12.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    11 Dec 2009, 12:26 pm

    @Nils: Its good for the Olympics to have these other teams in with a chance. But Kenya get enough medals in the Olympics.

    Maybe NZ or SA could get a gold with 7s in the Olympics.

    But other countries like USA, China (Big Olympic programs) and a Great Britain side could prevent that.

  • 13.JUSM: Reply to this comment
    11 Dec 2009, 12:29 pm

    kenya?

  • 14.Nils: Reply to this comment
    11 Dec 2009, 12:32 pm

    @Heavens Game: And Fiji – do not forget, sometimes it looks like they have been born to play Sevens. :)

  • 15.Nils: Reply to this comment
    11 Dec 2009, 12:33 pm

    And now, a re-run of Dubai final.

  • 16.Puma: Reply to this comment
    11 Dec 2009, 12:41 pm

    Samoa 17 – NZ 5 at the break.

  • 17.Nils: Reply to this comment
    11 Dec 2009, 12:42 pm

    Wow, Samoa 17-5 half time.

    They are really angry. :)

  • 18.grant10: Reply to this comment
    11 Dec 2009, 12:43 pm

    @Puma: Keep me updated there Nils and Puma….i am not seeing this !

  • 19.Nils: Reply to this comment
    11 Dec 2009, 12:43 pm

    Kiwi coach should threaten to abduct players children and harass their wives, if they do not step up now.

  • 20.Nils: Reply to this comment
    11 Dec 2009, 12:43 pm

    @grant10: Me, too.

    Irb.com posts score updates.

  • 21.Puma: Reply to this comment
    11 Dec 2009, 12:45 pm

    @grant10: Will do.

  • 22.Nils: Reply to this comment
    11 Dec 2009, 12:45 pm

    No, it did not work. 24-5 Samoa. An upset of note and a helluva vengeance.

    And it means, Kiwis should face Poms now in the quarters.

  • 23.grant10: Reply to this comment
    11 Dec 2009, 12:45 pm

    @Nils: thanks Nils…

  • 24.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    11 Dec 2009, 12:45 pm

    Oh dear. Samoa 24 – NZ 15

  • 25.Nils: Reply to this comment
    11 Dec 2009, 12:45 pm

    10-24. Way too late, I’m afraid.

  • 26.grant10: Reply to this comment
    11 Dec 2009, 12:46 pm

    @Nils: WOW!!!!!

  • 27.Nils: Reply to this comment
    11 Dec 2009, 12:46 pm

    @Heavens Game: Maybe a sniff of a hope now?

    Nope, I do not think Samoa will blow this.

  • 28.Nils: Reply to this comment
    11 Dec 2009, 12:46 pm

    @grant10: You’re welcome!

  • 29.grant10: Reply to this comment
    11 Dec 2009, 12:46 pm

    Dammit….hang tough samoa!

  • 30.Puma: Reply to this comment
    11 Dec 2009, 12:47 pm

    Samoa 24 – NZ 15 with one minute to go.

  • 31.Valkyrie: Reply to this comment
    11 Dec 2009, 12:48 pm

    @Nils: kiwis choking in the good old rsa again!

  • 32.Nils: Reply to this comment
    11 Dec 2009, 12:49 pm

    Let’s look at the bright side – knocking out Poms in the quarters already (instead of semifinal or final) is even better – that means increasing their lead in the standings.

    Of course, if Kiwis do not lose themselves then. 8)

  • 33.grant10: Reply to this comment
    11 Dec 2009, 12:49 pm

    final score gents???

  • 34.Valkyrie: Reply to this comment
    11 Dec 2009, 12:50 pm

    samoa!samoa!samoa!

  • 35.Puma: Reply to this comment
    11 Dec 2009, 12:50 pm

    Samoa hang on to win. Samoa 24 – NZ 22

  • 36.Nils: Reply to this comment
    11 Dec 2009, 12:50 pm

    @Valkyrie: Tomorrow will matter, not today. So save champaigne till then. ;)

    SA crushed everyone on Friday and go arses stuffed the next day.

  • 37.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    11 Dec 2009, 12:50 pm

    Is close – controversy NZ score, hooter blows but ref plays on.

    24-22 Samoa

    @TheTackler: Title #2 NZ? Long way to go…

  • 38.Nils: Reply to this comment
    11 Dec 2009, 12:51 pm

    Congratulations, Samoa, huge win.

    A good wake-up call for the Kiwis. From now on, they have to win each and every game. Strangely, I think, they’ll do just that.

  • 39.grant10: Reply to this comment
    11 Dec 2009, 12:51 pm

    @Puma: PHEW!!!!!

    Cool stuff!

  • 40.Valkyrie: Reply to this comment
    11 Dec 2009, 12:51 pm

    off to see the kiwis choking on suzie’s vomit again!cheers

  • 41.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    11 Dec 2009, 12:52 pm

    @Nils: You are right here, I’m afraid

  • 42.Nils: Reply to this comment
    11 Dec 2009, 12:52 pm

    @Valkyrie: Cheers you too. Have a good time.

  • 43.Puma: Reply to this comment
    11 Dec 2009, 12:54 pm

    @grant10: Blitz Boks play France at 1.54pm. Will keep you updated with that game.

  • 44.Nils: Reply to this comment
    11 Dec 2009, 12:54 pm

    @Heavens Game: Time will tell. Anyway, better lose now than tomorrow. :)

    And cudos to Samoa, they are on fire. That means Dubai was not a fluke and now we have 4 main contenders for the title, adding Samoa. Maybe England, too? We’ll see.

  • 45.Nils: Reply to this comment
    11 Dec 2009, 12:54 pm

    @Puma: Hi, Puma. Do you watch no telly or PC?

  • 46.Puma: Reply to this comment
    11 Dec 2009, 12:57 pm

    @Nils: Hello Nils, Watching on TV.

  • 47.Puma: Reply to this comment
    11 Dec 2009, 12:58 pm

    Think our Boks 7′s will miss Ryno big time. One of our best players and my favourite player too. Pity he is not going to play. I suppose the coach has to do what he has to do.

  • 48.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    11 Dec 2009, 12:59 pm

    Good try USA – USA 7 Wales 5

  • 49.grant10: Reply to this comment
    11 Dec 2009, 13:19 pm

    @Puma: thanks Puma…

  • 50.Mfwethu: Reply to this comment
    11 Dec 2009, 13:43 pm

    @TheTackler: Hey Tackledoos:

    NEW ZEALAND 22 – 24 SAMOA

    Good luck with that title

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