Blitzboks Defend Cape Town Crown in Thrilling Final
- Karen Scheepers
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
The Springbok Sevens team, known as the Blitzboks, successfully defended their HSBC SVNS Cape Town title, achieving a nail-biting 21-19 victory over Argentina in a hard-fought final on Sunday afternoon. This triumph made the Blitzboks the first team to ever successfully defend the Cape Town title, concluding the weekend as the only unbeaten men's side at DHL Stadium.
The Final Showdown Against Argentina
The final against Argentina was a tense affair, characterized by significant shifts in momentum. Argentina struck first with a converted try from Luciano Gonzalez, taking a 7-0 lead. The Blitzboks quickly responded through an intercept try by Zain Davids, finished by Donavan Don, with Ricardo Duarttee converting to tie the scores at 7-7. However, two quick tries from Marcos Moneta, one of which came directly from a restart, allowed Argentina to establish a commanding 19-7 lead early in the second half.
Displaying resilience and determination, the Blitzboks mounted a fierce comeback. The impact of the replacement players was evident as debutant Nabo Sokoyi stepped his way clear for a crucial 50-meter try. Duarttee’s conversion closed the gap to 19-14. With time dwindling, a vital turnover set up Christie Grobbelaar to score under the uprights, and the ensuing conversion pushed the Blitzboks ahead 21-19 with only 30 seconds left. The drama peaked when the subsequent restart went straight into touch, giving Argentina a final opportunity. However, the South African defense held firm, delivering powerful hits and ultimately winning a penalty to seal the dramatic two-point victory in front of the ecstatic crowd.
Semi-Final Victory Over France
Earlier on Sunday, the Blitzboks secured their place in the final with a 22-17 victory over France in a tightly contested semi-final. Shilton van Wyk opened the scoring, and Tristan Leyds followed with a display of individual brilliance, taking a quick tap to score. Despite France responding, Van Wyk capitalized on a fortunate bounce from a restart to score his second try, giving the Blitzboks a 17-5 lead.
France fought back to narrow the margin to 17-12 at the half and then levelled the scores early in the second period. The decisive moment came when Ryan Oosthuizen scored the match-winning try from a turnover in the French 22, with the South African defense staunchly repelling France's final attempts to secure the win.
Inspiration Off The Field
Adding to the tournament's memorable moments was an inspiring display of national fervor off the field. During the final, a young ball boy went viral after lifting a Springbok jersey that he had secretly tucked inside his pants. This spontaneous gesture of 'Green and Gold' pride captivated the stadium and underscored the deep, emotional connection between the national Sevens team and its supporters, embodying the spirit that contributed to the team's success.
Final whistle
The Springbok Sevens' successful defense of the Cape Town title was a showcase of guts, strategic substitutions, and stellar defense in the face of immense pressure. The team’s performance cemented its status as a dominant force on the circuit, providing a powerful demonstration of tenacity and skill that ultimately secured the historic back-to-back victories.
All image credits: Blitzboks
🏆🏉🔥
Comments