The Blitzboks have closed the gap on series leaders, Argentina, despite losing to Los Pumas in the final of the Canada Sevens.
The South Africans scored a dramatic win over Fiji in the cup semi-finals at BC Place late on Sunday, beating them 12-10 after scoring the winning points in the final play of the match, before going down to the Argentines in the decider in the early hours of Monday.
Los Pumas laid the foundation for a 19-12 win over SA in the Vancouver final in the first half, scoring the only two tries of the half.
South Africa were penalised a couple of times at the breakdown and could not get any momentum, while Los Pumas were more clinical when in possession and the 12-0 lead at the break was a deserved one.
When Argentina scored in the opening play from the second half restart to take a 19-0 lead, things looked dire for the men in green and gold.
What a battle!
Never a dull moment in #HSBCSVNS
#HSBCSVNSVAN pic.twitter.com/YsWMFOoKyN
— HSBC SVNS (@SVNSSeries) February 23, 2025
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But the Blitzboks’ fighting spirit was not a highlight of their tournament for nothing.
A brilliant solo run by Quewin Nortje got them on the board and going. Nortje beat two defenders on an 80-meter run to score. When Siviwe Soyizwapi scored his 154th career try from a move he initiated with a great break 10 minutes in, the Blitzboks were just a score away from levelling matters.
They had some opportunities, but credit to the 2025 Vancouver champions who held them out for a well-earned win.
The Blitzboks have now finished fifth in Dubai, won in Cape Town, placed fourth in Perth and their silver medal in Canada leaves them six points shy of log leaders, Argentina.
The South Americans (68 points), Spain (64 points), South Africa and Fiji (both on 62 points) are moving clear from the rest of the pack, with France (46 points) and Australia and New Zealand (38 points) losing sight of the top four after four tournaments played.
Hong Kong and Singapore are the two remaining tournaments left in the regular season, with a Grand Finale in Los Angeles.
Photo: SA Rugby
The post Blitzboks fall at final hurdle in Vancouver appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
The Blitzboks have closed the gap on series leaders, Argentina, despite losing to Los Pumas in the final of the Canada Sevens.
The post Blitzboks fall at final hurdle in Vancouver appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
