The Blitzbokke successfully defended their cup title against a strong New Zealand outfit in the HSBC Sevens Series at the Cell C Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Sunday 14 December.
The 26-17 win in front of over 36 000 spectators puts the national team at the top of the Series’ current standings.
The Blitzbokke successfully defended their cup title against a strong New Zealand outfit in the HSBC Sevens Series at the Cell C Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Sunday 14 December.
The 26-17 win in front of over 36 000 spectators puts the national team at the top of the Series’ current standings.
The cup title is the second in a row for the Blitzbokke, after winning the Dubai leg of the circuit the previous weekend.
Grocott’s Mail reporter Chris White made mention of midfielder Kyle Brown’s big match temperament (BMT) in last week’s edition, and unfortunately for the opposition Brown could not have been in much better form, both as a captain and ball-player.
Fellow midfielder Cecil Afrika’s enterprising, unpredictable playing style cost him a yellow card in each of the final matches, although the cards did little to hamper Afrika’s almost infallible performances in PE. Afrika is known for his size (or lack thereof) yet he proves time and again that small stones can break down even the biggest window panes.
Afrika surpassed ex-Blitzbokke player, and former Grahamstonian, Fabian Juries as South Africa’s highest all-time point’s scorer in the HSBC Sevens Series.
Blitzbokke compatriots Seabelo Senatla, Franco du Preez, Werner Kok and Kwagga Smith could be dubbed as the unofficial Four Musketeers of the HSBC Sevens circuit. The quartet has become so comfortable in opposition try line territory that they might have to start asking teams to leave a lounge suite behind the poles.
Senatla scored a hat-trick in the final, but it was each of Brown, Kok and du Preez’s tries in the hair-raising semi-final’s second half against Australia that reflected South Africa’s unwillingness to accept defeat to sneak a 19-10 win after a 0-10 half-time deficit.
The key to South Africa’s success was consistent teamwork dynamics on attack, while maintaining a structural urgency on defence.
sport@grocotts.co.za
