Blitzboks fall at last hurdle

Blitzboks fall at last hurdle

10 Dec 2011

GARETH DUNCAN, reporting from the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, watched the Blitzboks concede a last-minute try in a 31-26 Cup final defeat to New Zealand on day two of the PE Sevens.

The inaugural PE Sevens finished in 20 minutes of madness.

Ahead and during this fixture, the crowd created a magical atmosphere – something that was missing throughout the weekend’s festivities. The St Georges band arrived late during the day and their presence ignited an electric mood around the park, especially with the large All Blacks club who sat themselves in the seats below them. It was a fitting stage for the Blitzboks and New Zealand, who were clearly the two best teams at the tournament.

For New Zealand, it was their eighth consecutive Cup final appearance while it was only the hosts’ third in their history, having previously won one and lost one – both to the former. And on this occasion, the Kiwis went on to win their ninth South African leg Cup title thanks to Tomasi Cama, who scored and converted a try in the last move of the game.

It was a close contest in the first half, which ended 17-14 at the break in the Kiwis’ favour. DJ Forbes led from the front and powered over for the opening try, which was cancelled out by Bernado Botha’s finish. The hosts were then dealt a blow when Boom Prinsloo was yellow-carded for a professional foul at the breakdown.

From a defending scrum, the Blitzboks crumbled and Cama capitalized to dive over for his first five-pointer. Once South Africa returned to seven men, Botha went on to score his fourth try of the tournament – but New Zealand held a slender half-time lead after Frank Halai crossed the chalk.

The Blitzboks dominated the early parts of the second half, surging into a 26-17 lead with Steven Hunt and Cecil Afrika running over from close range. But defensive lapses at the death saw Halai and Cama complete their braces, the latter score a controversial one as a few South African players believed they were tripped during the final play. But Australian referee Anthony Moyes waved play on as Cama broke South African hearts.

The day’s results sees Fiji and New Zealand share the World Series table lead with 51 log points each. The Fijians performed badly on day two, which ended with a 48-0 thrashing from Wales in the Plate final. The Blitzboks find themselves third on the table with 48 log points while England (47) and France (38) trail closely behind.

Earlier in the day, the Springbok Sevens downed Samoa 12-7 in the Cup semi-final.

It was a physical clash and one the hosts handled well as they kept the game tight and capitalised on favourable field position. They spent most of the first half in Samoa’s 22m area, and they finished two scoring opportunities to take a 12-0 half-time lead. A Branco du Preez side step and break opened the scoring while Botha showed great power out wide to finish in the corner. Samoa ended the half with six men when Afa Aiono was sin-binned for striking Kyle Brown with the forearm.

After the second stanza restart, South Africa placed a greater emphasis on restricting the Pacific Islanders – which they did to great effect. Samoa struggled to break into the hosts’ red zone but managed to score a late try through Paul Perez. The Blitzboks, however, still did enough for a place in the Cup final

In their first match of the day, Cecil Afrika scored two crucial tries in the Springbok Sevens’ 26-12 win over France in the Cup quarter-final.

Coming off a 19-5 Cup defeat to the French in the same fixture at the Dubai Sevens last weekend, the Blitzboks ended on top on this occasion thanks to their hometown playmaker. But it didn’t come easy, as an attacking error saw Terry Bouhraoua put the opposition 5-0 ahead.

An Afrika run set up Boom Prinsloo minutes later while the former also dotted down after sniping a gap. But Renaud Delmas finished off a late attack, which capitalised on the hosts’ shaky rearguard. The half-time score read 12-12.

The Blitzboks produced a strong second half showing to seal their place in the top four. Brilliant stepping from Afrika saw the speedster grab his 70th World Series try while Botha finished off proceedings after chasing down a Du Preez chip.

Blitzboks’ fixtures, day two:
Cup quarter-final: South Africa 26 France 12
Cup semi-final: South Africa 12 Samoa 0
Cup final: South Africa 26 New Zealand 31

Click here for all day two fixtures and results


1,234 Comments

Pages: « 1 [2] 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 … 25 » Show All

  • 51.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2011, 13:19 pm

    A pretty decent blonde lady touchjudge…. Nice from far at least.

  • 52.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2011, 13:19 pm

    @cane-50: Ag shutup sheepshagger…

  • 53.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2011, 13:20 pm

    Richards on. Now lets see.

  • 54.cane: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2011, 13:23 pm

    @Heavens Game (Pigsy)-46:

    ” Who are you……..”

    I can see for Miles, and miles and miles and miles……………………………….oh yeah………

  • 55.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2011, 13:24 pm

    Oink!

    Methinks he doth protest too much

  • 56.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2011, 13:25 pm

    @Cane – Reechie McCunt’s Pubic Hair-54: As I was saying… shutup sheepshagger

  • 57.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2011, 13:26 pm

    @Dawn (Smelly)-55: Do I smell something fishy… Whiff.

  • 58.nama1: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2011, 13:26 pm

    Well done Blitzbokke.

    Hope you can go all the way.

  • 59.cane: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2011, 13:27 pm

    @Dawn-55:

    Hi babe.

    8)

    SA looking good.

  • 60.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2011, 13:28 pm

    Good win… Didn’t see much of Richards though. Maybe next game…

  • 61.IAAS: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2011, 13:30 pm

    Good going blitsies.

  • 62.cane: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2011, 13:31 pm

    @Heavens Game (Pigsy)-56:

    “sheepshagging” ……………………..a lot safer than most recreational activities pursued by randy Saffa’s.

    McLoSeR.

  • 63.nama1: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2011, 13:33 pm

    Cat fight!!!

  • 64.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2011, 13:34 pm

    @Cane McAwe McCunt-62: Yes. Thats what sheepshaggers would say… Safe as houses… in a Quake zone… Shake, rattle and roll.

  • 65.cane: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2011, 13:41 pm

    @Heavens Game-64:

    Or in your case Pigsy,

    Snake, waddle and reel.

  • 66.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2011, 13:49 pm

    @cane McCunt-65: Shake it up baby now… Twist and shout… or in your case not shout but Baaa aa ah

  • 67.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2011, 13:52 pm

    @Heavens Game-64:
    lol
    Safe houses in Africa come with barb wire and guards, its called a prison.
    Thats the only safe places in SA.

  • 68.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2011, 13:55 pm

    For some starnge reason i could not get on Keo for a few days. Kept saying something like i had lost my password or something like that.
    But now it works. I was feeling really bad that i couldnt log in and grace you guys with my presence, did ya miss me

  • 69.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2011, 13:56 pm

    @Hurricane-67: And now the sheepshaggers swarm… Mention of sheep, pig or any farmyard beast and the hormones go into overdrive… Wool…Kiwi viagra

  • 70.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2011, 13:56 pm

    @Hurricane-68: Yeah, its a pity they didn’t make it permanent with you farken duplicitous little maori serpents

  • 71.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2011, 13:57 pm

    Come on Aus… Beat the cheats

  • 72.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2011, 13:59 pm

    @Heavens Game-69:
    well better than HG…. mirrior….. hard on….rinse and repeat.

  • 73.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2011, 14:00 pm

    @Heavens Game-70:
    Someone has to keep your foul mouth,shitforbrains in check.

  • 74.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2011, 14:01 pm

    @Heavens Game-71:
    Bet you were confused on who to shout for in the cup quarter final.
    We know you love the French team and sort of like the Boks, must be a confusing time for you.

  • 75.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2011, 14:02 pm

    @Hurricane-72: Thank goodness for that… Keep it that way… You sha.g your sheep and keep HG out of it…

  • 76.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2011, 14:03 pm

    @Hurricane-74: Nope. Boks all the way. You should know by now I am fully ABS…. Anyone But Sheepshaggers

  • 77.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2011, 14:03 pm

    Good day kiwis.

  • 78.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2011, 14:05 pm

    @Heavens Game-75:
    You’re so vain
    You probably think this song is about you
    You’re so vain
    I’ll bet you think this song is about you
    Don’t you? Don’t you?

  • 79.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2011, 14:05 pm

    @Hurricane-73: lol…”Shitforbrains”… coming from a Kiwi…lol…

    Lets see

    A
    B
    C

    1st 3 letters in the alphabet… Just helping you out.

  • 80.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2011, 14:05 pm

    @Dawn-77:
    Howdy Dawn, how are you

  • 81.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2011, 14:06 pm

    Don’t pay him any heed he been blathering whole thread about cape coloured crusaders as if he somewhat superior.
    All I heard was oink.

  • 82.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2011, 14:06 pm

    @Hurricane-78: Nope… Thats reserved for Chief McCunt Black Panty only… As given by me.

  • 83.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2011, 14:06 pm

    @Heavens Game-79:
    typical, first 3 letters and stops.
    Proves my point. At least you got those 3 in the right order this time.
    You should try for 6 next time

  • 84.cane: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2011, 14:07 pm

    @Dawn-77:

    And a wink and a nod to you too Dawn.

    8)

  • 85.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2011, 14:07 pm

    @Dawn-81: Some oinks are pink and pristine… and then you get other rather fishy smelling ones that could be dirty brown…

  • 86.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2011, 14:08 pm

    This is gonna be fun.

  • 87.Michael: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2011, 14:08 pm

    @Heavens Game-70: Ouch. Overboard and nasty thing to say, dude.

  • 88.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2011, 14:08 pm

    @Hurricane-83: What point, sheepshagger…? The only point you got is probably deep in Dolly the Baa by now…

  • 89.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2011, 14:11 pm

    @Michael-87: Aha… And the rest of the thread?

    Or are you just being selective… One eyed… Little ja broer..

  • 90.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2011, 14:11 pm

    @Michael-87:
    dont worry Michael, HG is showing his true colours.
    We have known it for a long time.

  • 91.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2011, 14:12 pm

    Dirty brown?

    Howveryfuckingrude.

    We coloureds are cool, and we can dance and jump and score tries.

  • 92.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2011, 14:15 pm

    @Hurricane-90: And what are my “true colours”?

    Or are you just reverting to sheepshagger type…

    Ever so slightly Yellow… Chicken like… Puk puk puk Pkaark

    Slightly cowardly…

    Mm yes..

  • 93.cane: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2011, 14:16 pm

    @Heavens Game (Pigsy)-89:

    “And the rest of the thread?”

    Would you like to point out the Posts,
    more objectional than yours Pigsey?

    8)

  • 94.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2011, 14:16 pm

    @Heavens Game-85:
    we are not here to talk about your problems. You should get that smelly fishy thing fixed, not good really. I hear you get that from fast hand movements, you should slow down and take down that picture of yourself off your roof.

  • 95.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2011, 14:16 pm

    @Dawn-91: No that’s Afrika and he is Ace of Spades…

  • 96.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2011, 14:17 pm

    @Hurricane-94: Is your name Prawn? Or are you just getting excited with all the animal references, hey sheepshagger?

  • 97.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2011, 14:19 pm

    Aha. The penny drops.

    Afrika is not white.

  • 98.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2011, 14:19 pm

    @cane McCunt-93: More objectional…? Now thats obviously subjective… So no… But why should I care…. You’re just another sheepshagger to me… You should know that.

    Shake rattle and roll…

  • 99.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2011, 14:20 pm

    @Heavens Game-96:
    Is your name Heaven Gaym.
    This sheepshagger thing goes way back, now kids use it for a laugh, like your momma jokes.
    You have nothing left. This is great.

  • 100.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2011, 14:21 pm

    @Heavens Game-98:
    You have nothing lol.
    Oh boy george what next

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