Boks stutter on day one
12 Dec 2009
The Springbok Sevens finished second in Group A to set up a difficult cup quarterfinal against Fiji at the George Sevens.
In what should have been an easy group for the hosts, the Boks and Kenya both finished on eight log points, but the latter topped the group on points difference.
This sees Kenya have an easier cup quarterfinal fixture against Australia, while South Africa will face Fiji, who knocked the Boks out at the same stage in Dubai.
The deciding fixture was the last match of day one, where the Boks drew with Kenya thanks to a last-minute conversion from Mzwandile Stick after the home side came from behind for a 12-all draw. A win would have seen them top the group.
The Boks had more scoring oppportunities but they lacked the composure to finish them off. Kenya then took a 12-point lead through two tries from a quick penalty tap and a kick and chase.
Stick then brought the Boks within reach with a try and Deon Helberg crossed the chalk in the dying moments to set up the draw.
Earlier, the Blitzboks secured a 29-5 win against Zimbabwe in their second match.
At half-time, the Boks found themselves level with their African conuterparts with the score at 5-5.
But a brace from Helberg and tries from Marius Schoeman and Cecil Afrika saw the Boks record their second win.
In their opening group fixture against France, the Boks produced a strong showing inspired by a Afrika hat-trick.
It took less than a minute for the Boks to score the first points of the game as Afrika showed great pace to run through a gap in the French defence to score the first try. Stick added the extras.
Moments later, the home side scored another try, this time through Chase Minaar after working the ball out wide.
The Boks continued to dominate the first half and kept France pinned in their own 22, forcing the errors.
This led to another three tries as Stick grabbed a brace and Afrika had another blistering run down the touchline to give the Boks a 33-0 lead at half-time.
France hit back with two early converted tries in the second stanza, but Afrika sealed a 38-14 win as he completed his hat-trick for the Boks’ only score after the break.
Springbok Sevens day one results:
South Africa 38 France 14
South Africa 29 Zimbabwe 5
South Africa 12 Kenya 12
Springbok Sevens – Paul Delport (c), Mpho Mbiyozo, Chase Minnaar, Frankie Horne, Cecil Afrika, Marius Schoeman, Kyle Brown, JW Jonker, Shaun Venter, Mzwandile Stick, Deon Helberg, MJ Mentz.
For more fixtures and results click here
By Gareth Duncan
111 Comments
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11 Dec 2009, 13:46 pm
I think we gonna miss Rayno!!
11 Dec 2009, 13:47 pm
@Mfwethu: Save champagne for later. SA have not played yet.
11 Dec 2009, 13:54 pm
South Africa play next in about 3 min time against France.
Go Blitz Bokke.
11 Dec 2009, 13:54 pm
Joe Peterson should play sevens … will be the a legend …
11 Dec 2009, 13:55 pm
@wpw: WPW. We are for sure. One of our best 7′s players. What a huge loss especially playing at home.
11 Dec 2009, 13:55 pm
Russia 14 – 14 Aus
11 Dec 2009, 13:56 pm
@Heavens Game: Wow, that is HUGE for Russia.
11 Dec 2009, 13:57 pm
Please, anyone can say whether this is being broadcasted on the radio?
11 Dec 2009, 14:01 pm
South Africa 3 – France 0
11 Dec 2009, 14:01 pm
Good try SA
11 Dec 2009, 14:02 pm
First, Samoa beating NZ and now Russians denying Aussies. 2 upsets already.
11 Dec 2009, 14:03 pm
@Nils: Nils, go onto justin.tv or iraqgoals.net.
You can watch the sevens there. I am at the moment.
11 Dec 2009, 14:04 pm
Hmmm the Boks are looking very good.
11 Dec 2009, 14:06 pm
Mpho Mbuyozo is very good. I remember him playing for the Kings against BI Lions
11 Dec 2009, 14:07 pm
@Heavens Game: Thank you. I will do that in the evening at home (cannot use it while working)
11 Dec 2009, 14:08 pm
South Africa just brilliant. SA 33 – France 0 and the break.
11 Dec 2009, 14:09 pm
Frenchies not really keen to tackle
11 Dec 2009, 14:09 pm
I dont think many teams have as much all round speed as the SA team. Their defence seems a bit dodgy – strange that
11 Dec 2009, 14:09 pm
@Nils.Samoa beating NZ is not really an upset..Samoa is a more than capable team.That Russia-Aus draw…well,not thats a big big surprise!
11 Dec 2009, 14:11 pm
@Nils: You can watch the Boks thrash everyone on the 1st day. Tomorrow, another day though. Wonder who the Boks might meet in the knockout
11 Dec 2009, 14:17 pm
@Rage: Ok, not an upset – just a small surprise. Hat off to Samoa.
11 Dec 2009, 14:18 pm
@Heavens Game: I think Australia. They should beat Portugal by more than Russia do and lose by less to Fiji.
11 Dec 2009, 14:20 pm
SA win 38 – 14
Not as good in the 2nd half but still far too strong for France.
11 Dec 2009, 14:22 pm
not bad start but Delport and some others better get away from this individualist type play in the knockouts. Sometimes he just takes wrong option by switching back inside when he should go wide. Caught France cold first half but now the others will know what they up against. Afrika, Mboyizo, and Stick look the business they must just stick with simple strategy and should go far this time. Delport’s decision making will be the crucial factor.
11 Dec 2009, 14:27 pm
@Nils: Aha – the Boks bete noir.
11 Dec 2009, 14:29 pm
@Heavens Game: Perfect occasion for a revenge in front of a home crowd.
They have to win this tournament (or at least finish higher than Kiwis or Fijians) to keep in touch with the leaders.
11 Dec 2009, 14:31 pm
@Nils: Nils, SA played very well in the first half to fall away in the 2nd half. When we face the top sides tomorrow we can not do that. Also missed a few kicks at goal.
Fiji for me look the favourites. Playing superb.
11 Dec 2009, 14:33 pm
@Puma: 1st day and 2nd day – completely different things. All weaklings are out, no easy walks for anybody.
11 Dec 2009, 14:34 pm
SA’s biggest threat is Fiji
Fijians play loosely and keep ball in the air.Have the skills set to do it well,plus their giant forwards are hard to bring whilst they offload well too.Unlike NZ,OZ,Eng who depend a lot at the contact areas/breakdown like SA.
Plus Fiji have:
William Ryder
11 Dec 2009, 14:35 pm
@Nils: Yes agree, tomorrow we will have to face the better teams. Can not afford to fall off in the 2nd half against a top side like we done today.
Fiji just look so powerful and fast. For now don’t see any team beating them.
11 Dec 2009, 14:36 pm
Kenya looking dangerous
11 Dec 2009, 14:37 pm
@Puma: Do not forget, Fiji, too, played weaklings today. Tomorrow these magicians will have to work hard and dig deep. And I think in the close battles they can be rattled – like in Dubai.
11 Dec 2009, 14:39 pm
William Ryder is 7′s rugby’s Maradona,Ronaldinho,Messi,Pele in one.
Magician.
Had the pleasure at watching Serevi,Mai,Gomez Cora,Juries,Gollings etc
With all due respect: they have nothing on this dude.His feet,speed,balance is unlike anything ive seen before.
Ridiculous
11 Dec 2009, 14:40 pm
So, South Africa – Kenya showdown left for a dessert. Good, I may have chance to watch it.
11 Dec 2009, 14:42 pm
@Nils: Will have to see how they do tomorrow. For today so far they look the best side.
I think tomorrow we will wish we had Ryno in our side. Pity he can not play in-front of his home crowd. He is one of our best 7′s players.
11 Dec 2009, 14:45 pm
Cheers all back later.
11 Dec 2009, 14:45 pm
@Puma: Cheers Puma.
11 Dec 2009, 15:00 pm
@mshiniwami:
Yeah, we really battle with size of Fiji players.
11 Dec 2009, 15:20 pm
@wpw: Why was he suspended?
11 Dec 2009, 16:33 pm
Fiji only 14-7 up vs Russia. Russians must be good.
And hopefully they will qualify for WC2011 in 15-man version. Only need to repel Romanians, Portuguese and Spaniards to get a ticket.
11 Dec 2009, 17:13 pm
5-5 v Zim half time.
11 Dec 2009, 17:26 pm
29-5. All’s well that ends well.
11 Dec 2009, 19:36 pm
@Heavens Game: could you please post full link? I cannot find on iraqgoals.net nevermind justin.tv who’s search engine is not working at all.
11 Dec 2009, 19:49 pm
Kyle Brown is the next Brussouw.keep ur eye on this boy
11 Dec 2009, 19:52 pm
@Heavens Game: All ok, I have found that, thanks for directions.
11 Dec 2009, 20:46 pm
7-0 Kenya. Wow
11 Dec 2009, 20:50 pm
14-0 half time. Interesting.
Fiji is waiting for the losers. Kenya can afford a draw.
11 Dec 2009, 20:50 pm
Sorry, 12-0, my bad.
11 Dec 2009, 20:54 pm
Ouch, card for Kenya.
11 Dec 2009, 20:57 pm
12-5
Blitzboks are terrible anyway.
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