Blitzboks hit jackpot in Vegas
13 Feb 2011
The Springbok Sevens beat Fiji 24-14 in the Cup final in Las Vegas to win their first tournament in two years.
The last time the Blitzboks won a Cup final was back on 5 April 2009 at the Adelaide Sevens during their World Series-winning campaign. Since then, they have suffered a poor run of form. Last season, they only reached one Cup final and lost five out of six Plate finals (which is the 5th/6th place play-off). This season, they failed to reach the Cup semi-final stage in the opening three tournaments and won only two out of three Plate finals.
However, they starred at this season’s Las Vegas tournament, completing an unbeaten run and securing the Cup title with impressive victories over England and Fiji.
In the Cup semi-final, Cecil Afrika inspired the Blitzboks to victory as they overturned a 10-0 deficit to beat England 17-10.
England dominated the first half and starved South Africa of possession to keep them scoreless at the break. Dan Norton and Tom Powell touched down to secure the former a 10-0 lead at half-time.
Then came the Blitzboks’ comeback. Branco du Preez’s chip ahead into space put speedster Afrika through for the first try. Afrika then turned provider as his long pass put Kyle Brown into space out wide and the skipper dived in at the corner to give South Africa the lead. With seconds left on the clock, the Blitzboks hung on to possession and were given a penalty in England’s red zone. Afrika converted the three-pointer, sealing a great comeback win.
In the final, the Blitzboks recorded an inspirational victory over a physical Fiji.
The Pacific Islanders were far bigger than their South African counterparts and used their size to their advantage as they dominated at the breakdown. However, the Springbok Sevens attacked smartly by running into space and offloading through the tackle. Clever interplay saw South Africa surge into an early 14-0 lead through Afrika and Du Preez.
Fiji hit back as Watisoni Vatu dotted down but Chris Dry’s try put South Africa 21-7 up at the break.
Fiji were within reach when Mitieli Nacagilevu crossed the whitewash but Bernando Botha’s try wrapped up proceedings and saw South Africa home. The Blitzboks’ tournament win puts them back into World Series title contention.
The Blitzboks’ campaign at the Las Vegas Sevens has regained Paul Treu and his players a lot of respect and they have every right to celebrate their impressive performances. However, they need to compete at this level and at the same intensity consistently. They have shown their full potential this past weekend by employing the correct game plan and playing to their strengths, but it will all be for nothing if they suffer another rough patch hereafter.
The reality is the Springbok Sevens have regressed since their 2008-2009 World Series triumph. This Las Vegas tournament victory is the perfect opportunity for them to turn things around.
Blitzboks fixtures and results, day 2:
Cup semi-final: South Africa 17 England 10
Cup final: South Africa 24 Fiji 14
For all fixtures and results click here
By Gareth Duncan
Follow SA Rugby mag on Twitter
146 Comments
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14 Feb 2011, 13:13 pm
top draw performance from the boys….brilliant to see.
14 Feb 2011, 13:53 pm
Terror Mtembu…that’s a better sized player to match the Fijians.
14 Feb 2011, 14:49 pm
Cecil Afrika is the best sevens player in the world currently.
No arguments, no debates, he just is.
14 Feb 2011, 15:07 pm
@WP_(WP_)-103: he is outrageously talented!
14 Feb 2011, 15:12 pm
I hate Sevens but I reckon its going to take over from rugby in the popularity stakes within the next decade.
14 Feb 2011, 15:12 pm
Good to see the Blitzboks won their first tourny in a while…
Was beginning to think Treu had run out of ideas… and finding decent 7′s players.
A good 1st step back to the top of the 7′s heap… Below 1st place is unacceptable….
Especially considering the talent available.
No excuses Mr. Treu. You have been No. 1 before. Time to get back to the top where the Blitzboks should be.
14 Feb 2011, 15:24 pm
Much irony in the perception that the Blitzboks were more popular in Las Vegas than in their “hometown” tournament at George…
Truly farked up.
14 Feb 2011, 15:24 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-105:
I bloody hope not. It’s a good day out but I hardly ever watch on tv.
The only way Diet Rugby will beat the 12 volt stuff is if the Yanks embrace it. And even then, for fans of the real game, it’ll never overtake it. It’s a side show, that’s all.
14 Feb 2011, 15:35 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-107: not inconceivable, those All Black supporting hordes SWORE at the Blitzbokke like they’d stolen something! quite embarrassing!
14 Feb 2011, 15:48 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-109:
very embraboer.
I’m delighted that george is losing out.
word on the street is that it’s going to PE.
I trust you will keep the muthas in line.
14 Feb 2011, 15:50 pm
Magtag this site is booorrinng today
14 Feb 2011, 16:05 pm
@gunther(gunther)-110: none of that kak here! we will make it a party no doubt
14 Feb 2011, 16:06 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-111: Come now lass, we’ve had rocker chicks, scotsmen in kilts, U2, Bona, Steve, John Smit, what more could you ask for?
14 Feb 2011, 16:09 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-112:
mantener un ojo en el cabo español…
14 Feb 2011, 16:09 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-111: Its because all the “racists” have more urgent and interesting things to do than interact with assorted prawns, hot.ties and brokebacks when Super rugby is yet to start…
14 Feb 2011, 16:10 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-113:
who is Bona?
Bono’s sister?
14 Feb 2011, 16:12 pm
can the rebels beat the waratahs?
14 Feb 2011, 16:13 pm
@gunther(gunther)-114: los espanoles son malos mierdas poco. a veces…
14 Feb 2011, 16:16 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-118:
gently china
14 Feb 2011, 16:19 pm
@gunther(gunther)-114: nos hemos transformado personas aquí
14 Feb 2011, 16:21 pm
@gunther(gunther)-119:
You think he thinks it’s funny? That’s why he put a laughing smiley at the end?
14 Feb 2011, 16:22 pm
@gunther(gunther)-116: Oh dear…..
I hope that’s not a “freudian slip”
Not even going to the concert. Threw my ticket into the Berg river in protest.
14 Feb 2011, 16:26 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-120:
George no está tan lejos de Port Elizabeth.
14 Feb 2011, 16:28 pm
@gunther(gunther)-119: that’s the onl;y way he knows how
14 Feb 2011, 16:28 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-120:
I was gently admonishing him.
Next time I will dispense with all facial expressions.
14 Feb 2011, 16:30 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-122:
i went to see them years ago at wembley.
I can’t believe they have got any better if their recent stuff is anything to go by.
I think if you haven’t seen them before it’s worth going.
Bono gets on my tits though.
14 Feb 2011, 16:32 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-106:
????? What u on about? Amounts of talent available????
2008-2009 season was only season where unions let fringe players go to play on the circuit.Since then treu has had massive difficulty getting top proffessionals to be involved in 7′s circuit as they are contracted to provinces who wont let them go even Vodacom Cup Players.
In 2008-09 the likes of Phillip Burger,Kabamba Floors,Mpho Mbiyozo,Mzwandile Stick,Gio Aplon,MJ Mentz,Danwell Demas,Fabien Juries(prior era) etc That was the core of the team.
the next 2 yrs All those guys arent in the team. But if you look at say NZ- DJ Forbes,Lote Raikambula,Tomasi Cama,Umaga-Marshall etc still there.Same with England Ben Gollings etc
Australia is the most impressive team IMO,brand new team made it ork quickly.
14 Feb 2011, 16:35 pm
@gunther(gunther)-123: la que les será smash
14 Feb 2011, 16:37 pm
@gunther(gunther)-126: I saw them last time they came out. Great concert. Been there, done that.
It’s like the joke they like to tell in Ireland:
“What’s the difference between Bono and God?
A: God doesn’t walk around dublin pretending to be Bono.”
Yip, that about sums it up. Although, after having watched the DVD “It might get loud” I have a newfound respect for Edge…
14 Feb 2011, 16:43 pm
At a recent U2 concert in Glasgow, Scotland, Mr Self-Righteous asked the audience for total quiet.
Then, in the silence, he started to slowly clap his hands, once every few seconds. Holding the audience in total silence, he said into the microphone, “Every time I clap my hands, a child in Africa dies.”
From the front of the crowd a voice with a broad Scottish accent pierced the quiet…
“Well, ****** stop doin it then, ya evil *******!”
14 Feb 2011, 16:48 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-129:
you should check out harry enfield (comedian) he nails bono.
14 Feb 2011, 16:49 pm
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-127:
yoh mshimiwam.
dealing out the beat downs.
I was going to bring you your machine gun, but now I’m not so sure that’s a good idea.
14 Feb 2011, 16:53 pm
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-127: ungazihluphi sibali…
14 Feb 2011, 17:06 pm
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-127: new zealand are doing too badly when you consider that umaga-marshal is now in the sader super rugby 22, kurt baker is recently injured in pre-season for highlanders, save tokula was also playing centre for chiefs last year, i think he’s gone to europe though, i don’t see zar lawrence in the latest team too…
14 Feb 2011, 17:08 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-130: hahaha good one.
@gunther(gunther)-131: Harry’s a genius, love his stuff!
14 Feb 2011, 17:58 pm
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-127: Mmmm. So there is no talent available in South Africa for Sevens…? In South Africa, so “rich” with natural talent? Psst, Don’t tell that to a Kiwi. Care to give examples of which players Treu has been refused access to by Provinces…?
14 Feb 2011, 18:01 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-128: y Rossi mierda…?
14 Feb 2011, 18:06 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-134:
True sbali.
@gunther(gunther)-132:
LOL….
14 Feb 2011, 18:14 pm
y de todos los negros racistas
14 Feb 2011, 18:17 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-128: Muy estupido al intentar hablar un idioma civilizado
14 Feb 2011, 18:17 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-136:
He had to battle to let Juries comebk into side last yr,had WP refusing till the end part of CC
Same with Danwell Demas who had been out of favour in Cheetahs side.Even this yr he is nowhere near Cheetahs 22 in Superrugby.he will be playing VC
Lionel Mapoe last yr wasnt playing ANY rugby yet none of the provinces SHARKS/CHEETAHS wouldnt let him play 7′s to get his fitness back up.He was finally let go in november last yr then pulled AGAIN
the likes of Akona Ndungane have been enquired about on his recovery road to use 7′s as steppping stone back into 15′s as NZ has done with a lot of their AB’s yet the bulls wont release him.
Trompie Nontshinga wasnt realeased by griquas even when sitting on bench for Vodacom Cup team.
Stick & Mbiyozo have declined due to aspirations of Kings to compete for higher honours-FAIR enough
14 Feb 2011, 18:23 pm
Akona on a sevens pitch???
I think the ref would be quicker
14 Feb 2011, 18:45 pm
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-141: Hellsteeth, many of those chaps you mention are not marquee SA rugger players.
SA is known for the size and physicality of its players… The chaps who turn out for the Blitzboks are little dwarfs in comparison…
Much like Bafana Bafana in the soccer world…
14 Feb 2011, 19:11 pm
Wo ist dieser Skopdoos liberalen narren?
14 Feb 2011, 19:13 pm
der narr dichter…
14 Feb 2011, 20:08 pm
Living in the United States, it gave me great joy to watch some rugga on a national broadcaster (NBC). It gave me even more joy to see my Bokkies win in Vegas, baby.
The thing that bothered me afterward, though, was the ball handling skills of the sevens players. I have never seen a Springbok, Super Rugby or even Currie Cup rugby team handle the ball, as fluidly and purposefully as the Blitzbokke do.
They truly looked like Aussies or Kiwis, was such the precision and alacrity with which the ball was shifted around.
Most South African 15man teams either shovel the dung or gooi kak. The confidence and skill that these players demonstrated made me wonder why PDV doesn’t emlploy Paul Treu as a skills specialist in the runup to the World Cup.
Forgive me for my outlandish and outrageous comment in the previous paragraph. I have this strange thought that common sense and national pride would supercede ego and confidence laagers.
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