Fiji continues hold over Springbok Sevens
Fiji continued its stranglehold over the Springbok Sevens with a 26-12 victory over the South Africans in the Plate final of the New Zealand Sevens in Wellington earlier today.
The two teams played to an exciting 7-7 draw in their pool match on Friday, with South Africa spoiling two clear cut chances right at the end to secure a rare victory over the Pacific Islanders.
In the Plate final, Paul Jordaan and captain, Kyle Brown scored a try in each half to keep the Springbok Sevens within distance of Fiji. However, it was the greater physical strength and the clever kick-and-chase tactic of Fiji which saw them ran out as deserved winners of the Plate decider.
Earlier, the South Africans had proved too strong for Wales, Branco du Preez (2), Lubabalo Mtembu and Paul Jordaan all scoring to book their place in the final.
New Zealand won their first title on home soil since 2008 after a convincing 29-14 win over England in Cup final, Declan O’Donnell scoring three tries before a capacity crowd in Wellington. Kenya clinched the Bowl 19-0 against Tonga while the USA lifted the Shield with a 19-12 victory over France.
SA Sevens coach, Paul Treu, was understandingly disappointed afterwards: “Our decision-making must be better and we are still making too many unforced errors. We had the chance to beat Fiji on Friday night but our composure let us down again.
“We are working hard on correction those unnecessary but crucial mistakes and it will also take a bit more time for this young unit to grow as a team,” said Treu.
The Springbok Sevens coach was full of praise for the efforts of former SA Schools star Paul Jordaan, who had an excellent match against Fiji in the Plate final, scoring a scintillating individual try in the first half to announce his arrival on the Sevens circuit.
“He is a huge talent and his try showed what he is capable of. He just needs to keep his head down and work hard at his game and the rewards will come his way. His try reminded me so much of Juan de Jongh (now a full Springbok), who also scored a great try here in Wellington a few seasons ago,” explained Treu.
Afrika, Powell on their way to Las Vegas
Meanwhile, Treu has confirmed that exciting playmaker Cecil Afrika and veteran former captain Neil Powell will join the team on Monday in Las Vegas for the USA leg of the HSBC Sevens World Series.
The pair was called up to replace the injured duo of Paul Delport (hamstring) and Boom Prinsloo (thigh injury).
Afrika was cleared to return to action after he was sidelined for several weeks with a jaw injury. The dazzling speedster was the leading point scorer in World Series before he sustained the facial injury against Wales in George last December.
The teams now move to Las Vegas for the fourth instalment of the HSBC Sevens World Series.
New Zealand and England are now tied in first place in the standings on 64 points apiece. Samoa lies third with 52, Fiji fourth on 44 and South Africa fifth with 32.
South Africa’s results at in Wellington:
Pool D
SA 31, Canada 5
SA 12, France 14
SA 7, Fiji 7
Cup quarter-final:
SA 7, Australia 14
Plate semi-final:
SA 22, Wales 5
Plate final:
SA 12, Fiji 26
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