Blitzboks lucky to be in Cup play-offs

Blitzboks lucky to be in Cup play-offs

4 Feb 2011

GARETH DUNCAN reports on the Springbok Sevens’ inconsistent performances on day one at the Wellington Sevens.

The Blitzboks will have to thank Canada for their place in the Cup section. After their 31-5 win over the latter, they suffered a 14-12 loss to France in their second group match. All France had to do to confirm their Cup spot ahead of South Africa was to beat the lowly North Americans.

A French victory was expected against Canada, who also lost 38-0 against Fiji. However, Canada upset France with an 19-14 win, handing the Blitzboks a Cup play-off lifeline. South Africa followed with a draw against Fiji, confirming second place behind the Pacific Islanders in Pool D. But it was a match South Africa should have won.

Fiji were far the better team in the first stanza and rightfully took the lead after speedster Seremaia Burotu ran in the corner for the first try of the game. In reply, the Blitzboks couldn’t build any momentum on attack because of poor passing and handling while their defence was easily penetrated. South Africa were lucky to be trailing 7-0 at the break.

In the second half, the Blitzboks produced an improved performance. They camped inside Fiji’s red zone for most parts of the half but could only score one try through Branco du Preez to level matters.

Bernado Botha had the opportunity to dive over for the match-winning try, but he lost the ball forward over the line. South Africa were then awarded an injury-time penalty in a kickable position to clinch the match, but they went for the try and failed.

The Blitzboks will now face Australia in the Cup quarter-final on day two. In the other Cup play-offs, England face Argentina, Fiji play Samoa and New Zealand take on Wales.

Blitzboks results (Day 1):
South Africa 31 Canada 5
South Africa 12 France 14
South Africa 7 Fiji 7

Blitzbok fixtures (Day 2):
South Africa vs Australia (04:17 k/o)

For all fixtures and results, click here

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988 Comments

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  • 751.JockBok: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2011, 17:18 pm

    Holly molly. Arsenal 3-0 up at Newcastle and only 10 mins gone

    8O

  • 752.JockBok: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2011, 17:19 pm

    Sharks try.

    Got a feeling the Plascon Double Velvet Trophy might mean something to a few people on here after all.

  • 753.I am a stormer: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2011, 17:19 pm

    Try Sharks.

    Against the run of play.

  • 754.JockBok: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2011, 17:20 pm

    Italy holding Ireland 3-3. Nearly HT.

  • 755.Bhloo: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2011, 17:21 pm

    Against the run of play.
    Why did CJ take his foot off the gas?

  • 756.JockBok: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2011, 17:21 pm

    I’m off to concentrate on the game. Laters…

  • 757.Robzim: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2011, 17:22 pm

    @JockBok(JockBok)-751:

    I see the traitor Fernando said he is not going to celebrate if he scores tomorrow against Liverpool.

  • 758.JockBok: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2011, 17:24 pm

    @Robzim(Robzim)-757:

    Lol. No disrespect to Liverpool, but I’m expecting Torres to start racking up the goals with the quality of Chelsea around him.

  • 759.carol: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2011, 17:27 pm

    @Robzim(Robzim)-743: Afternoon you layabout surfer, what this about me knowing ‘fark all’ about rugby? :roll:

  • 760.carol: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2011, 17:29 pm

    @JockBok(JockBok)-758: Torres the Chorizo Munching Moffie!!

  • 761.Bhloo: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2011, 17:33 pm

    Tide turning.
    Sharks making the play start of 2nd quarter.

  • 762.carol: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2011, 17:34 pm

    Italy 6 – Ireland 3 at half time!

  • 763.Robzim: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2011, 17:34 pm

    @carol(carol)-759:

    At least I also mentioned that you are have beaten an expert on more than one occasion:) How did you find the rugby last night, you must be happy that your team has beaten Wales so easily?

  • 764.WP Till I Die: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2011, 17:38 pm

    Can somebody please give me a score update?

  • 765.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2011, 17:44 pm

    @WP Till I Die(WP-Forever)-764: sharks 10 – Stormers 3 in the 28th min

  • 766.I am a stormer: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2011, 17:46 pm

    @WP Till I Die(WP-Forever)-764:

    10 3 to Sharks after 30 min

  • 767.carol: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2011, 17:48 pm

    @Robzim(Robzim)-763:
    Rob….I have beaten several experts on superBru, bless them they are very sweet in defeat!!

    I had a wonderful time in Cardiff, the whole city centre rocks at rugby time.

    Then the icing on the cake…An English win at the Milenium Stadium….and Jonny Wilkinson coming on and converting a kick! :-)

    Whats happening in CT ?

  • 768.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2011, 17:49 pm

    ricky ALWAYS in the fights…both teams not taking this like a ‘friendly’ :D

  • 769.carol: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2011, 17:50 pm

    So the new Stormers jersey is doing them no favours so far today!!

  • 770.JockBok: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2011, 17:51 pm

    @Transformation(Transformation)-768:

    Oupa with the cheap shots though…

  • 771.WP Till I Die: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2011, 17:52 pm

    @Transformation(Transformation)-765: @I am a stormer(I am a stormer)-766:

    Thanks!

  • 772.I am a stormer: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2011, 17:52 pm

    @carol(carol)-769:

    I blame Luke Watson.

    That’s what happens when you kotch on a rugby jersey.

    Not very pretty.

  • 773.JockBok: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2011, 17:52 pm

    @carol(carol)-769:

    They’re not wearing it today. Some other jersey for the series, which actually looks a damn sight better than the new effort.

  • 774.carol: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2011, 17:55 pm

    @JockBok(JockBok)-770: Hi Jock
    I love haggis btw, but was told to pour whisky over it at a Burns Night supper…Bleaughhhh !!
    Is this really what Scots do?

  • 775.JockBok: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2011, 17:55 pm

    Habana dropping everything. He’s just trying to hard.

  • 776.WP Till I Die: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2011, 17:56 pm

    Does anybody know where I can get live scoring?

  • 777.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2011, 17:56 pm

    habana too eager and hence making mistakes…he needs to relax mvovo on the other side looks dangerous with ball in hand…

  • 778.Bhloo: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2011, 17:56 pm

    Would hate to play rugby with German Post Office on my chest.

  • 779.JockBok: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2011, 17:57 pm

    @carol(carol)-774:

    Howdy Carol. Not neat whisky, that’s just a waste. Maybe some folks do it but I’ve never heard of it. But you can get a whisky sauce which is nice.

  • 780.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2011, 17:57 pm

    lambie’s kicking still his achilles… :-(

  • 781.WP Till I Die: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2011, 17:58 pm

    @JockBok(JockBok)-775:

    I saw a photo the other day that instantly made me think of Glasgow – one of the guys in the photo was holding a tinny of Tennant’s Super.

    Glasgow’s finest :lol:

  • 782.I am a stormer: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2011, 17:58 pm

    @JockBok(JockBok)-773:

    This must be the practice jersey.

    With all that yellow and red, I’m forced to watch the game with dark glasses on.

  • 783.goyougoodthing2: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2011, 17:58 pm

    Habana looking like the same selfish corksucker he was last year. Bekker looking good.

    Alberts strong, Stefan is a much better Captain than Barney sorry to say.

    Scrappy game, Stormers playing dirty… sad.

  • 784.carol: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2011, 17:58 pm

    @I am a stormer(I am a stormer)-772: I am actually surprised that Damien Hurst or Tracy Emin have not exhibited a ‘Parked Pizza’ still life at the Tate Modern yet!!

  • 785.JockBok: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2011, 17:59 pm

    @WP Till I Die(WP-Forever)-776:

    Here :) 10-3 HT.

    Surprised Stormers are still in it. Sharks looking a lot more up for it.

  • 786.JockBok: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2011, 18:01 pm

    @goyougoodthing2(goyougoodthing2)-783:

    Eh? Stormers playing dirty? Where do you get that from>

    I suppose Oupa’s cheap shot on Tiaan when he was on his knees on the ground looking the other way was accidental?

    C’mon mate. It’s charged but it’s not dirty.

  • 787.Robzim: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2011, 18:01 pm

    @carol(carol)-767:

    It was not nice to hear the Welsh supporters giving Jonny a boo when he came on. Reminds me of the Bulls fans :)

    Things are quiet in Cape Town, hot and windy most days.

    I heard you are going to do the Argus cycle race?

    How is the training going?

    I hope you are doing enough hill climbing- there are lots of hills in the Argus – long, steep ones. And its probably going to be hot.Be warned.

  • 788.carol: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2011, 18:02 pm

    @Transformation(Transformation)-777: The most relaxed I saw Habanna was at the Barbarians Game Dec 2009 where he scored three beautiful trys….

    He has been invisible in every other game I have seen him play since!!

  • 789.carol: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2011, 18:05 pm

    Paul O Connell has the face only a mother could love!

    Italy 6 Ireland 10, and O’Gara takes to the pitch!

  • 790.carol: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2011, 18:08 pm

    @Robzim(Robzim)-787: From where I was sitting there were mostly cheers when Jonny ran on.

    As for Argus training a combination of the poor weather and my ‘Man Flu’ (that I a currently suffering from) means I will probably walk up the hills!! lol

    Any tips, you are the cyclist here!! ;-)

  • 791.JockBok: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2011, 18:09 pm

    Could’ve been real nasty for Bressler there. Well done Beast for holding on and if you look you’ll see CJ holding off from the tackle.

  • 792.I am a stormer: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2011, 18:10 pm

    @carol(carol)-784:

    The Tate Modern is just a short drive down the road from Bath.

    Better get him before he catches a flight to PE.

    A nice Hawaiian with extra cheese should do the trick. :D

  • 793.Bhloo: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2011, 18:13 pm

    Glad I don’t have to wear that supporters jersey. :)

  • 794.Robzim: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2011, 18:15 pm

    @carol(carol)-790:

    Use a lot of suntan lotion and dont ctrash when going down Hospital bend and be careful of the big male babo ons when going over Chappies :)

  • 795.carol: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2011, 18:15 pm

    @I am a stormer(I am a stormer)-792: I see you have an eye for colour!

    Nice try for Italy!

  • 796.Bhloo: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2011, 18:17 pm

    A Stormers game without a thread!!!!
    Something must be very wrong at Team Keo?

  • 797.goyougoodthing2: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2011, 18:17 pm

    @JockBok(JockBok)-786: Dirty dirty boys.

    heh heh heh.

    Glad the Stormers have habana and not us, he may score a try or two but he is a tw@@t.

  • 798.carol: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2011, 18:17 pm

    @Robzim(Robzim)-794: Blimey, do I have to dodge wildlife too?

    Perhaps you could ride shotgun…….!! :lol:

  • 799.carol: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2011, 18:18 pm

    Nice droppie from O’Gara..

  • 800.goyougoodthing2: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2011, 18:19 pm

    Maybe we can organise a wedding and a buffet every Saturday for Barney instead of playing? #justsaying

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