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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5 Feb 2011, 19:11 pm
Oh buger. Try to the Frogs already from a mistake…
5 Feb 2011, 19:11 pm
Strange laanguage French
What is the French word for Rendezvous?
5 Feb 2011, 19:12 pm
How did the new lock pairing work out?
5 Feb 2011, 19:13 pm
French scrum looking good, is John Smit scrumming for Scotland
5 Feb 2011, 19:13 pm
@Great White Shark(Predawn)-893:
The only other injury was to the Beast’s ego when Ricky January picked him up and carried him 3 meters backwards
5 Feb 2011, 19:14 pm
@Great White Shark(Predawn)-903: Front gate and back gate is now locked
The 50 fans have nowhere to go now but watch the Sharks and Bulls
5 Feb 2011, 19:14 pm
@JL1(JL1)-900:
unLOL
5 Feb 2011, 19:14 pm
looking at the performances, the lions are 50/50 …. they lost to this k@k stormers rugby ..but beat the k@k sharks rugby!
5 Feb 2011, 19:16 pm
@Robzim(Robzim)-905: Was Ricky that hungry???
5 Feb 2011, 19:18 pm
F.uck off Barnes you little shyite.
5 Feb 2011, 19:19 pm
@Robzim(Robzim)-905: @JL1(JL1)-909:
Sounds like Ricky needs to get some diet tips from John Smit!!
5 Feb 2011, 19:20 pm
@JockBok(JockBok)-910: Jock I’m with you for this game…Do you think these S.H boys understand our feelings for the Frogs?
5 Feb 2011, 19:20 pm
@JockBok(JockBok)-910: Amen to that
Barnes is a prima donna
5 Feb 2011, 19:21 pm
Ricky knows where his bread is buttered. At SARU and with the board at WP who are, well, dodgy is being kind.
He’s the Boks scrummie regardless of anything he does or doesn’t do, even when a chap like Charl cleaned him up today in every area.
5 Feb 2011, 19:23 pm
@carol(carol)-912: Carol we understand it too well. We have the same kinds of feuds within our own country. Ours we called Boer Wars LOL.
But the French and France, fantastic!
5 Feb 2011, 19:23 pm
@carol(carol)-912:
Lol. Not sure Carol. But Scotland just need to keep it cool here. They are getting some possession, but as the commentator said, it looks like the good French team have shown up today.
Ansbro is a super prospect.
5 Feb 2011, 19:25 pm
@carol(carol)-911:
JOHN SMIT’S WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAM
A guy calls a company and orders their 5-day, 5kg weight loss program.
The next day, there’s a knock on the door and there stands before him a
voluptuous, athletic,
19 year old babe dressed in nothing but a pair of Nike running shoes and a
sign around her neck.
She introduces herself as a representative of the weight loss company.
The sign reads, “If you can catch me, you can have me.”
Without a second thought, he takes off after her. A few miles later puffing
and puffing, he finally gives up.
The same girl shows up for the next four days and the same thing happens.
On the fifth day, he weighs himself and is delighted to find he has lost 5kg
as promised.
He calls the company and orders their 5-day/10kg program. The next day
there’s a knock at the door and there stands the most stunning,
beautiful, sexy woman he has ever seen in his life. She is wearing nothing
but Reebok running shoes and a sign around her neck that reads,
“If you catch me you can have me”.
Well, he’s out the door after her like a shot. This girl is in excellent
shape and he does his best, but no such luck.
So for the next four days, the same routine happens with him gradually
getting in better and better shape.
Much to his delight on the fifth day when he weighs himself, he discovers
that he has lost another 10kg as promised.
He decides to go for broke and calls the company to order the 7-day/25kg
program.
“Are you sure?” asks the representative on the phone. “This is our most
rigorous program.” “Absolutely,” he replies,
“I haven’t felt this good in years.”
The next day there’s a knock at the door; and when he opens it he finds a
huge muscular guy standing there wearing nothing but pink running
shoes and a sign around his neck that reads, “If I catch you, you are mine.”
He lost 33 kilos that week.
5 Feb 2011, 19:26 pm
I am part Frenchie so I gotta shout for Les Frogs.
5 Feb 2011, 19:26 pm
@goyougoodthing2(goyougoodthing2)-915:
I had a plate of frogs legs on Wednesday. Very nice they were…
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS TRYYYYYYYY THE JOCKSSSSSSSSSSSSs
5 Feb 2011, 19:28 pm
funny thing is, I was lining up a comment to say that you can already see early doors here that Scotland have the players but they just need the belief.
C’mon now 10-7 to the frogs…
5 Feb 2011, 19:29 pm
@I am a stormer(I am a stormer)-917: Have you seen John’s wife… Roxy would eat you mate LOL.
5 Feb 2011, 19:30 pm
I dunno. A cool head and Scotland could pull this off…
5 Feb 2011, 19:30 pm
Wasn’t a Scotland win an optomistic call? A real turn up for the books if it happened?
Genuine question, no dig.
5 Feb 2011, 19:32 pm
@goyougoodthing2(goyougoodthing2)-915: Arghhh…Not the Boer War….Please anything but the Boer War on a Saturday night ! lol
5 Feb 2011, 19:33 pm
@Bhloo(redj)-923:
Always an optimistic call. But if there’s one thing we Scots have, it’s optimism in spades
It’s so difficult to call a Scotland game this past year. I’m sure we have the players, but they need to believe…
5 Feb 2011, 19:34 pm
@JockBok(JockBok)-916: Scotland often seem to run on empty in the last 15 mins, hope they can keep the pressure up!
5 Feb 2011, 19:35 pm
French scrum is massive. Murray being beasted.
5 Feb 2011, 19:35 pm
@goyougoodthing2(goyougoodthing2)-915: how far do you think the fans are from the touchline in that french stadium?
5 Feb 2011, 19:35 pm
@I am a stormer(I am a stormer)-917: Haaa – Well if Ricky does not read here perhaps someone shoudlsign him up for this miracle weightloss plan.
5 Feb 2011, 19:36 pm
@carol(carol)-926:
Tell me about it. funny thing is, 10 years ago we only played the last 10 minutes.
Euan Murray is better than this…
5 Feb 2011, 19:39 pm
that euan murray makes Smit look like an Carl Hayman hahahaha, he’s seeing his arse
5 Feb 2011, 19:41 pm
Sheesh, Scotland’s scrum is the one thing we can rely on the last couple of years. France are slipping it up the Scots backsides at leisure.
Composure boys, composure.
5 Feb 2011, 19:41 pm
@carol(carol)-924: Fully agree. Especially with a good game on the go.
5 Feb 2011, 19:43 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-931:
Very surprised Transie. Murray has been a rock and one of the top TH’s in the world. But he’s getting his arze handed to him on a plate here.
5 Feb 2011, 19:43 pm
@JockBok(JockBok)-930: That flipping ‘Ommpah’ Band is getting on my nerves!
5 Feb 2011, 19:45 pm
@carol(carol)-935:
Haw hee haw…
5 Feb 2011, 19:55 pm
Ok, still in it at HT. I suppose in a warped kind of way it’s good to see it’s only a 10 point deficit with France more than looking up for it.
One of two things are going to happen 2nd half. France will run away with it big time, or Scotland will take them close.
France have won it after 40 minutes though, that’s for sure.
5 Feb 2011, 19:57 pm
How did Scott Gibbs get in the Supersport studio? He was in Wales last night.
Must’ve been on the phone from Heathrow, or he’s got a private jet!!!
5 Feb 2011, 19:57 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-928: About half as far as at Moses and it’s still far.
5 Feb 2011, 20:01 pm
@JockBok(JockBok)-937: and in a warped sort of way a 10 point lead is spot on for my superBru!! I have to beat the ‘expert Robzim’ !!
5 Feb 2011, 20:05 pm
Frans Steyn has lent his wig to the Scottish No. 4 !!
5 Feb 2011, 20:05 pm
@goyougoodthing2(goyougoodthing2)-939: lol.
you lie
5 Feb 2011, 20:06 pm
@carol(carol)-940:
If we can hold it to 10 I’m happy for you
Funny thing is, I’m sitting here tucking into some saucisson and roquefort, and washing it down with a Rose from Provence.
Haw hee haw…
5 Feb 2011, 20:11 pm
Yaaay Frogs leading.
5 Feb 2011, 20:16 pm
@Great White Shark(Predawn)-944:
Easy tiger…
5 Feb 2011, 20:19 pm
Gotta go with my part French heritage.
5 Feb 2011, 20:20 pm
@JockBok(JockBok)-916: The term rogering is springing to mind
5 Feb 2011, 20:20 pm
I suppose that’s what you call a bit of ‘French flair’
5 Feb 2011, 20:21 pm
@JockBok(JockBok)-943: Rats, a French Try!
5 Feb 2011, 20:22 pm
@JL1(JL1)-947:
Yep, seeing the Frogs in this kind of mood is great to watch.
I’m surprised Scotland are almost keeping up with them..
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