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
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12 Dec 2011, 17:23 pm
@Dawn-999: a sap? probably, but that doesnt worry me… been called a lot worse..
12 Dec 2011, 17:24 pm
Indeed gunther.
12 Dec 2011, 17:27 pm
ahhh assumption..
such a weak basis…
12 Dec 2011, 17:27 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther-1000:
No sorry to disappoint, did you ever set your dog onto a group of blacks or tell one they can’t piss in the same toilet, you know the local culture.
12 Dec 2011, 17:28 pm
@poppa69-974:
just you wait pops, just you wait…
your lean years are coming
you will look back at this time with tears of nostalgic reverie
and cry for the days gone by…
so it will come to pass
for the world will one day awaken to realise… this isn’t footy… this is wwe wrestling manipulation make believe… a sham… a shiny, choreographed and staged opera a la aveuglement, with a written script… a fake… a lie…
and then the people of the laws will take back rugby
take it to its roots…
a game played for men, by men…
hard and uncompromising
no more the low, cheating airy fairy drama queen stuff…
and for you… the world will end.
goodnight pops, goodnight.
12 Dec 2011, 17:28 pm
China! Whatyoutalkingabout.
12 Dec 2011, 17:28 pm
@NZINCHINA-1004: he has people to do it for him…
12 Dec 2011, 17:30 pm
@Dawn-1006:
Oops my mistake that was his Daddy and grandpa’s culture.
12 Dec 2011, 17:31 pm
We must be nice to pops otherwise he will call us names.
12 Dec 2011, 17:31 pm
@au revoir mon tout noirs, au revoir…-1005: we heard this after 2009 remember?
seems the only thing wrong with those statements then was the team named… now that the golden generation of 2009 (lets not mention the rigged 2007 WC) have all taken deliverance of their zimmer frames, I dont see all this apparent depth of SA rugby..
you know it, I know it..
interesting times indeed…
au revoir
do you guys think you will beat Argentina in next years championship?
12 Dec 2011, 17:32 pm
Listen you all kiwis.
Gunther is a nice guy.
Lay off!
12 Dec 2011, 17:32 pm
@Dawn-1009: those who are not guilty may cast the first stone..
remember your comments about my wife Dawn? or has the grouse kicked in
12 Dec 2011, 17:33 pm
@Dawn-1011: hes certainly pulled the wool over your eyes Dawn… hes just as racist as HG..
12 Dec 2011, 17:34 pm
@poppa69-1013:
He’s allowed to be he’s an Aryan like HG.
12 Dec 2011, 17:35 pm
It is far too early for grouse
It’s monday
School night
What you implying
12 Dec 2011, 17:37 pm
Gunther’s only problem is that he is a Bull and doesn’t get the “dynamic”
12 Dec 2011, 17:38 pm
@NZINCHINA-1014: must be all that Khaki they wear
@Dawn-1015: that your judgement has become impaired… but its your choice… China and I know the real Gunther, and its just as ugly as HG.. sad but true..
12 Dec 2011, 17:40 pm
Glad to see that kiwis are carefully considering their responses
12 Dec 2011, 17:40 pm
@poppa69-996:
ja thats right, you have got a moerse overdraft of pk’s built up over time, guy.
like frequent flyer miles you would end up having them cashed in for one helluva ride outside a pub somewhere in the republic..
i would never do that though
no sir, i would just want to sit down with you at a bar
buy you a drink, and look you straight in the eyes
mano a mano
look straight through you, to the depths of your soul
i would give you a poesklap of the mind….
12 Dec 2011, 17:41 pm
My judgement is not impaired!
Jeez!
12 Dec 2011, 17:42 pm
@au revoir mon tout noirs, au revoir…-1019: hehehe
but youd be taking a knife into a gun fight with that mind of yours
12 Dec 2011, 17:42 pm
@poppa69-1017:
Gotta run mate, good win in the cricket even if it was against a second rate Australian team, cheers.
12 Dec 2011, 17:42 pm
@NZINCHINA-1022: later bro… hey, first in Aussie for 26 years, I’ll celebrate like we had won the WC..
oh wait
12 Dec 2011, 17:43 pm
@NZINCHINA-1008:
Seriously?
Like you would know.
12 Dec 2011, 17:43 pm
Anyhoo. Each racist to his own.
‘S a free country.
12 Dec 2011, 17:45 pm
@Dawn-1025: its everywhere Dawn, no country is immune…
12 Dec 2011, 17:46 pm
@poppa69-1010:
to be honest
i back the convicts to take it again next year, with the bok as the outsider dark horses maybe.
the baker boys will be emotionally shot.
12 Dec 2011, 17:48 pm
@poppa69-1021:
12 Dec 2011, 17:51 pm
@au revoir mon tout noirs, au revoir…-1027: nah, have to disagree mate.. think the Aussies will always struggle with the forward aspect of the game… their backs are electric, but they always seem to lack that one or two real tough, hard nosed forwards who enable them to compete with SA and NZ packs..
imagine if they had a Smith or a Kaino, or a reformed in his prime bakkies… theyd be a helluva lot tougher then…
12 Dec 2011, 17:58 pm
@poppa69-1029:
well we’ll just have to see.
they certainly played a good game this year.
yes, they could do with a hard man to protect that 1/2 part elf, 1/4 part hobbit, 1/4 part zimbo of theirs, like brad used to look out for reechee.
although, we could do just as well with a fit again (there’s nothing wrong with his form) bakkies, just a 1 or 2 year interim jaunt while the next guy gets ready.
12 Dec 2011, 17:59 pm
@NZINCHINA-1022: @poppa69-1023:
You guys have it just about dead on the mark with these unthinking,poor,sad,worthless,foolish fools so enjoy yourselves on these of a fast approaching extinct breed of Cape Dutch delights.
Pops, while Gunt(‘C’for G) may attempt to scare you with his you won’t last 5 mins. in Manenberg(note spelling Gunt) little does he say he has never been withing 15 mins. of said Manenberg(so **** scared is this ‘shero’).
Besides you saw all those AB black jerseys in PE? If you have that on when you go to Manenberg(of jazz fame too) you will be the King of that situation and even without reciting words of the Haka let alone doing it for the local folk.
12 Dec 2011, 18:01 pm
@Dawn-989: i will connect you on facebook so you can ask him urself.
@poppa69-991: hehe deep down you know you the real story. why did u apologise if kkk & whatever started it
12 Dec 2011, 18:13 pm
@au revoir mon tout noirs, au revoir…-1030: I agree they did this year, but outside of their matchday 22 they have glaring weaknesses… and the depth of your entire squad is relevant these days with the amoint of rugby played… I could be wrong and they win it again, but I have my reservations about them..
isnt it part elf, part hobbit and part orc (the african content
)
@Transformation-1032: I’ll admit I lost it that day Trans, no problem… but be honest here, after that whole series we heard all sorts of stuff about NZ rugby, why even keo himself joined in with the “NZ rugby is k@k” tweet that certainly backfired…
12 Dec 2011, 18:15 pm
@ET.-1031: hehe never even heard of Manenberg, so the reference was lost on me from the start…
and besides, Ive lived in South Auckland, if you cant hack it there then you have no hope anywhere else.
12 Dec 2011, 18:18 pm
Poops giving it the racist yak yak yak after dropping the k bomb and whining on and on about dutchies.
And then who comes in on his donkey but the arch neo ethnic superblack racist extraball.
I sense the start of a beautiful friendship
12 Dec 2011, 18:20 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther-1035: but still pales in comparison to some of your comments about Chinas wife hey Gunther?
12 Dec 2011, 18:23 pm
@poppa69-1036:
What did I say about his wife?
This should be good.
12 Dec 2011, 18:26 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther-1037: Im not going to repeat it gunther, but I still laugh at your falling back on the k bomb thing..
as Ive said many a time, once told it wasnt appropriate I ceased to use it…
but you cling to it like its some sort of beacon, its your failsafe so to speak..
a sure sign of the fact you have lost the battle..
ag shampies..
12 Dec 2011, 18:26 pm
@poppa69-1034:
It is an over-populated C.T. township for people of mixed-race many of whom were evicted from homes they owned(District 6) close to the city centre – an embarrassing monument to APARTHEID’.
But those people as you can expect have much spirit and one of their sons, famous jazz artist, Dollar Brand, gave rise to the jazz music called Manenberg.
You can get to it by you-tubing his name or the title Manenberg. You are sure to enjoy it.
12 Dec 2011, 18:31 pm
@poppa69-1038:
Do not waste you time on Gunt(‘C’for G) as he is as S.African as the Wallabie he received at birth.
As you can see he is irrelevant because his S.A. culture has too many holes in it. He cannot even speak Afrikaans. He merely recites a few words all mostly incorrectly spelt.
12 Dec 2011, 18:32 pm
@poppa69-1038:
You don’t have to repeat it.
Just use quotation marks.
Unless of course you are a lying sack of k bomb dropping s hit?
12 Dec 2011, 18:32 pm
@ET.-1039: I will have a look at that ET, at work so cant access it at the moment.. I’d fit in with that crowd though, being of mixed race also..
s’funny huh, people like Gunther take offence to the Dut**** comment, but for years thought nothing of the whole apartheid thing..
I still cant fathom it myself, and am thankful every day that I never experienced anything as oppressive as that..
12 Dec 2011, 18:35 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther-1041: still clinging to that tiny little bastion of self righteousness?
bwahahahahaa my, thought you racists where made of sterner stuff Grunter?
@ET.-1040: its fun wasting time on grunter, charity and all that… why I even let him get a few laughs at my expense, helps the superiority gene of his stay in shape..
12 Dec 2011, 18:46 pm
Thought nothing of apartheid?
And you know this how?
Are you really that stupid?
How about another of you Sharpeville gags?
12 Dec 2011, 18:47 pm
@poppa69-1042:
Because I accept that honest to goodness but merely poor people do not scare you nor you them I say you will be king there esp. with your AB jersey.
Dollar was famed in the New York jazz crowd with the Belafontes and much more for many years and you will enjoy that music.
Have your fun at his expense especially with everything AB ending so well so late in this year with the Sevens title even.
Have to be gone now.
12 Dec 2011, 18:56 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther-1044: Sharpeville gags? when did I make a gag about Sharpeville? I was actually appalled that something liek that could happen… but continue to misconstrue everything to suit your little racist agenda..
@ET.-1045: Id much rather mingle with the salt of the earth types then those who think they are better because they may have material possessions and/or money…
12 Dec 2011, 18:56 pm
” Thought nothing of apartheid?
And you know this how?”
I will easily show everyone how wrt you.
I am within 15-25 mins. of your claimed Constantia abode and will take you to any shebeen in Langa, Gugs, Nyanga or more to help you brush-up on your S.Africanism which you know is so lacking and deficient. You will be surprised how much you can truly learn there in an hour or so to get at that culture you lack but so crave.
12 Dec 2011, 19:03 pm
@poppa69-1046:
” … they may have material possessions and/or money…”
That is exactly ALL that Gunt(‘C’for G) and his cohorts are about. We have all heard about his abode in posh Constantia and his Aryan German made car and his trips to Paris and its wine estates.
Simple bragging about material things.
We never hear about simplebut pleasing things like crying children or playful dogs.
Really gone now.
12 Dec 2011, 19:03 pm
Fool expat.
Dollar Brand is now Abdullah Ebrahim.
12 Dec 2011, 19:06 pm
Yay.
I have a cheap German car.
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