Blitzboks scrape through in Dubai
3 Dec 2010
The Springbok Sevens have advanced to the Cup play-offs on points difference at the Dubai Sevens, despite losing 19-14 against Australia in their final pool match .
Nothing seems to have improved since the Blitzboks’ poor 2009-2010 campaign, which saw them finish sixth with only 80 points. The Blitzboks finished day one at the opening tournament poorly as they suffered a 19-14 defeat against Australia after their 19-10 win against Russia and a lucky 19-19 draw against Scotland. The good news is they still finish second in Pool C ahead of Scotland with a better points difference of four compared to the latter’s negative 11.
However, judging their last performance, Paul Treu’s charges will need to make a major step up on day two as they will face Fiji in their Cup quarter-final tie – a side they failed to beat in the Cup play-offs last season.
In their defeat against Australia, they scored the opening try as star player of the day, Cecil Afrika dotted down in the second minute. But from there, the Australians gained the ascendancy as they put together a 19-point blitz to seal the match. South Africa added some respectability to the score with a late try through Afrika, who grabbed his fourth try of the day.
Earlier in the day, the Blitzboks were saved by Andrew Skeen’s missed conversion in injury time as they hung on for a draw. Disappointing for the South Africa as they had a strong start to the match. Skipper Kyle Brown grabbed an early brace before Fraser Harkness touched down late for the Scots. The Blitzboks led 12-7 at half-time.
Afrika gave South Africa a 14-point advantage moments after the restart as he finished a good piece of attacking play. But then the Blitzboks crumbled.
The Scots managed to expose the South Africa’s defence with two chip aheads, which saw Dougie Fife break away to make it a seven-point game. Then in the dying seconds, Scotland scored a late try despite a courageous defensive display from the Blitzboks. Skeen’s conversion attempt hit the post, which would’ve secured victory for Scotland.
In their first Pool C match against Russia, South Africa won 19-10. Again, Afrika was the star for the Blitzboks as he scored seven points and set up Bernado Botha’s try for the win. Skipper Kyle Brown also crossed the chalk while veteran Renfred Dazel produced an impressive performance.
After the opening try thanks to some individual brilliance from Afrika, the South Africans struggled against Russia for the rest of the first half. They failed to build much momentum on attack while their defence was poor. Russia hit back through Nikolay Goroshilov to see the half-time score read 7-5.
The Blitzboks moved up a gear after the break and two tries through Botha and Brown in quick succession put the South Africans in a comfort zone. Russia scored a late try, but it only added respectability to the score.
In other results, Samoa, New Zealand, Australia and Fiji topped their groups while Wales, USA, and England finished second to qualify for the Cup play-offs.
Blitzboks’ results:
South Africa 19 Russia 10
South Africa 19 Scotland 19
South Africa 14 Australia 19
For all fixtures and results click here
20 Comments
3 Dec 2010, 07:27 am
Seven’s Dragons…… give theme tutu’s…
3 Dec 2010, 07:39 am
Hope for a better year from the sevens okes!
3 Dec 2010, 07:43 am
go blitzbokke go!
3 Dec 2010, 07:55 am
Final will be between NZ and Fiji or Samoa.
3 Dec 2010, 09:13 am
we haven’t been knocked out yet have we?
3 Dec 2010, 09:16 am
Seven’s is like Marshmallows…
looks good but there is no substance..
3 Dec 2010, 09:33 am
@Staal : But it’s now an Olympic sport with medals on offer…
3 Dec 2010, 09:34 am
@TheTackler : Crazy – imo!
3 Dec 2010, 10:35 am
Hmm … not the most promising of starts.
3 Dec 2010, 11:42 am
@Staal : At least it’s a real sport, not like synchronised swimming or rhythmic gymnastics or other such fruity stunts.
3 Dec 2010, 11:43 am
Australia 41-14, New Zealand 31 -7 Against USA, Fiji 31-1 against Portugal….SA 19-10 against Russia, the weakest of all the opposition teams compared to the other top countries have played against. SOMETHING IS WRONG HERE!!!!, This Bok side is a fully Professional team with big bucks contracts and they have simply NOT performed over the last 12 months plus!!! But dear nice guy Paul True, like his mate PDiv, supposedly walk on water so they are untouchable. PUKE!!!!!!!!! Watch at 13h00 when Australia put 30 past us, anyone prepared to bet against me!!!
3 Dec 2010, 12:42 pm
@Staal : #6 Don’t be so sure. The Bok backline will be much better after having thier skills honed in 7′s training. Why do you think our backline players cannot run at pace and pass at the same time?
3 Dec 2010, 13:59 pm
what a bunch of woesies. No wonder most of them never make it in 15 man rugby. Just drew pathetically to Scotland. No passion yet again. Just a bunch of wannabe´s prancing around the field.
I´m betting Australia put more than 30 past this bunch of palookas. Jeezus, talk about scraping the bottom of the barrel.
3 Dec 2010, 14:01 pm
I think it takes a certain person to like 7´s. Someone who likes wasting their team getting dressed up like a bee and buzzing around with his mates while having shandies and spritzers.
3 Dec 2010, 14:11 pm
Force into stalemate??? hahahaha – Boks did that to themselves. Lame defence, no strong attack, no support and no muscle.
3 Dec 2010, 15:29 pm
Australia beat Scotland 41-14. They are going to slaughter the Blitzboks.
3 Dec 2010, 17:52 pm
lameasses are losing again.
4 Dec 2010, 07:38 am
when is Coach True’s replacement coming? Paul True has been coaching the 7′s without any – none – zip – improvement. What a nice job – no worries about performance – I love this system!
6 Dec 2010, 23:27 pm
My apologies to Paul True.
I have just watched the replay betweent the Boks and Fiji and the cancer that lives in certain rugby quarters lives in the 7′s game too.
The aussie ref between Fiji and South Africa was as poor as Dicko baltant biased in the Scotland game.
The cheating Juan Smith kinda penalties by Dicko happened in this game too. Blitzbokke were beating the Fijians, but like the Fifa corruption this cancer is here too.
Shame really that certain quarters believe rugby is their domain.
Maybe Skopnot is not that mad after all
6 Dec 2010, 23:30 pm
@gary@msgrecruit.co.za :
Egg on your face bud?
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