Blitzboks hit jackpot in Vegas

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 Gareth on Twitter

Follow SA Rugby mag on Twitter


146 Comments

Pages: [1] 2 3 » Show All

  • 1.capo: Reply to this comment
    13 Feb 2011, 19:10 pm

    come on bokkies!

  • 2.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    13 Feb 2011, 19:46 pm

    the Poms are the most improved side this year, i’m not too confident but GO BOKKE!!!!!

  • 3.Sheriff: Reply to this comment
    13 Feb 2011, 20:04 pm

    Make it happens Bokke!

    Its there for the taking; it’s about being hungry!

  • 4.Cap0: Reply to this comment
    13 Feb 2011, 20:18 pm

    get RID of paul TRUE …. farking quota!

  • 5.Cap0: Reply to this comment
    13 Feb 2011, 20:18 pm

    anyone seen springboksarah lately? i want to suck her toes!

  • 6.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    13 Feb 2011, 21:27 pm

    Former Springbok scrumhalf
    dies
    2011-02-13 19:39

    East London – Former Springbok
    scrumhalf from the 1960s and
    early 1970s, Dirk de Vos died on
    Saturday from a heart attack in
    Potchefstroom at the age of 69.

    Born on 8 April 1940, De Vos was educated at Graeme College, Grahamstown.

    He represented Western
    Province and Western Transvaal in Currie Cup matches.

    Not always popular with the
    critics, he was often criticised for being a selfish player, but on his day he could be a match-winner with his darting runs and
    strategic kicks.

    Former Bok captain Hannes
    Marais was sad to hear of De
    Vos ’ death.
    “He was a good friend of mine
    but I knew he wasn ’t well lately
    as he did not join us for recent
    reunions,” Marais said from his
    home in Port Elizabeth Sunday.
    “Dirkie could do brilliant things
    but would often play his own
    game.
    “He loved to kick and charge and
    if it worked that was wonderful
    for the team,” Marais added.
    De Vos represented South Africa
    in three Test matches, touring
    Ireland and Scotland in 1965, the
    United Kingdom in 1969-70 and
    Australia in 1971.
    He played Tests against Scotland
    at Murrayfield in 1965 and 1969
    - both games were lost – and
    replacing an injured Springbok
    captain Dawie de Villliers, he
    played one home Test at
    Newlands against Australia in
    1969.
    For most of his international
    career De Vos played in the
    shadow of both De Villiers and
    Piet Uys.
    After the devastating tour of
    Ireland and Scotland when both
    internationals were lost, De Vos
    was sacked for 1965 tour of
    Australia and New Zealand and
    former captain Nelie Smith took
    his place as understudy to De
    Villiers.
    De Vos only able to reclaim a
    place in 1969.
    The “Umbrella Test” at
    Newlands saw De Vos play an
    outstanding game along with Piet
    Visagie at flyhalf, and he was
    selected for the demo-hit tour of
    the United Kingdom in 1969-70.
    On the tour of Australia in 1971
    he was deputy scrumhalf to
    Joggie Viljoen.
    Altogether he played 18 matches
    in the green and gold.

  • 7.capo: Reply to this comment
    13 Feb 2011, 21:57 pm

    cecil afrika,what a boytjie!

  • 8.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    13 Feb 2011, 22:00 pm

    these kiwis are being MONSTERED by the gigantic fijians :shock:

  • 9.capo: Reply to this comment
    13 Feb 2011, 22:02 pm

    bokkies against fiji

  • 10.Tight5: Reply to this comment
    13 Feb 2011, 22:14 pm

    Going to be a good final!

  • 11.capo: Reply to this comment
    13 Feb 2011, 22:32 pm

    nice to see countries like guyana embracing sevens rugby

  • 12.charo: Reply to this comment
    13 Feb 2011, 23:34 pm

    on this whole scotland “english d#icks up the @rse thing”.

    my most memorable foreign test was in edinburgh rwc1999.

    before the game had a chat with the late gordan brown – the “broon from toon” – what an absolute gentleman!

    later, my wife and i sat amongst jock supporters during the game – the most fair minded i have yet to meet.

    and afterwards, we meandered back up prince’s street, on a fan pub crawl.
    the atmosphere was unbelievable – zero animosity – just one big rugby party.

    there is no more true rugby-spirited group group of fans in the whole wide world.

    better than the welsh, english, irish, saffa, oz or kiwi.

    even better than the french.

    stick that up ya jumper, capo.

  • 13.charo: Reply to this comment
    13 Feb 2011, 23:36 pm

    gordan = gordon.

    of course.

    just for the intellectual cripples.

  • 14.KevinRack: Reply to this comment
    13 Feb 2011, 23:54 pm

    Man those Fijian’s are born to play rugby including the 4 Fijian born All blacks. What fine human specimens…

    Go Bokke…

  • 15.Sasori: Reply to this comment
    13 Feb 2011, 23:59 pm

    Cap0…..you can suck the real capo’s ****! I’m sure SpringbokSarah has taste.

  • 16.rugby911: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2011, 00:22 am

    Lets go Bokke!

  • 17.rugby911: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2011, 00:25 am

    Cecil in for 1st try off the set piece – wow!

  • 18.rugby911: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2011, 00:26 am

    oops too much space for em….

  • 19.rugby911: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2011, 00:27 am

    Fiji uptight…

  • 20.rugby911: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2011, 00:28 am

    SA7 Fiji 0

  • 21.rugby911: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2011, 00:29 am

    Brilliant try!! Sa working sevens magic

  • 22.rugby911: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2011, 00:30 am

    12 – 0

  • 23.rugby911: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2011, 00:31 am

    Fiji melt through SA porous defence…

  • 24.rugby911: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2011, 00:32 am

    12 – 7

  • 25.rugby911: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2011, 00:34 am

    Brilliant try by SA to end first half in styyyyyyyyyyle!

  • 26.rugby911: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2011, 00:35 am

    19-7 to SA

  • 27.christianels22: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2011, 00:36 am

    Come one boys!!!!!!

  • 28.rugby911: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2011, 00:37 am

    SA never beaten Fiji in final out of four encounters….

  • 29.rugby911: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2011, 00:40 am

    Fierce forward battle for first 3 minutes, no score

  • 30.rugby911: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2011, 00:42 am

    Fiji through for comeback, ahhhh come on boys!!!!!

  • 31.rugby911: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2011, 00:42 am

    19 – 14

  • 32.oubaard: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2011, 00:43 am

    Here we go again.

  • 33.rugby911: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2011, 00:44 am

    SA fighting proud

  • 34.SjamBok: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2011, 00:45 am

    whats the SCORE!!???

  • 35.rugby911: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2011, 00:45 am

    did Botha scor…..

  • 36.rugby911: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2011, 00:45 am

    TRY………. you beauty!!

  • 37.SjamBok: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2011, 00:46 am

    commentary PLEASE!!!

  • 38.rugby911: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2011, 00:46 am

    24 – 14 to SA

  • 39.rugby911: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2011, 00:47 am

    1:20 s to play

  • 40.SjamBok: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2011, 00:47 am

    how much time left?

  • 41.SjamBok: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2011, 00:47 am

    sweeet…

  • 42.SjamBok: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2011, 00:47 am

    thanks!

  • 43.rugby911: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2011, 00:48 am

    Drop goal charged. Fiji knock on, SA posession of Scrum

  • 44.SjamBok: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2011, 00:48 am

    did we win?

  • 45.rugby911: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2011, 00:49 am

    Fiji was coming back, but SA Win with brilliance and brains!!!!!!!!

  • 46.rugby911: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2011, 00:50 am

    Cecil Afrika for Bokke?
    Wonderful stuff

  • 47.oubaard: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2011, 00:50 am

    Thanks for updates. Cheers on the bokke.

  • 48.rugby911: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2011, 00:50 am

    24-14 to SA

  • 49.SjamBok: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2011, 00:51 am

    woooo hooo!!!

    thanks for the commentary Rugby911.

  • 50.rugby911: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2011, 00:52 am

    Pleasure guys, great win for the Bokke, Fiji off their backs at last

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