Blitzboks pip nemesis Fiji

Blitzboks pip nemesis Fiji

14 Feb 2010

After yet another Cup quarterfinal exit, the Springbok Sevens went on to triumph 12-5 against Fiji in the Plate final at the Las Vegas tournament.

Finishing second behind Fiji in pool B, South Africa faced a challenging quarterfinal tie against current World Series log leaders New Zealand.

The two sides met for the first time this season during the group stages at the Wellington Sevens tournament last week, a match the hosts won 19-7 after some late defensive errors from South Africa.

This time it was closer contest but again the Boks failed to deliver as New Zealand progressed past the defending World Series champions with a 12-5 win.

New Zealand dominated the first half as they took a 12-0 lead through tries by Ben Souness and Kurt Baker.

The Boks hit back in the second stanza with a Cecil Afrika try to put South Africa within reach, but New Zealand managed to fend off their late surge and hold on for the win.

South Africa then met England in the Plate play-offs and cruised into the final with a 27-14 victory.

Kyle Brown and Steven Hunt grabbed a brace while Afrika also crossed the chalk.

This would be the furthest the Boks came in a tournament this year and they looked in good form to clinch the Plate title, however, they would face Fiji – a team they haven’t beaten in four attempts this year.

But the Boks shocked the Fijians as they went into a 12-0 lead at half-time as Frankie Horne and Afrika touched down.

Fiji came back into the game through a try by Joeli Lutumailagi, but South Africa displayed their best defensive efforts of the season to claim their first title of the campaign.

In other results, Samoa upset New Zealand 33-12 to secure the Cup title.

Click here for fixtures and results.

By Gareth Duncan


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