The Blitzbokke got their first Sevens World Series victory in more than 18 months when they beat Fiji 24-14 in the final in the early hours of this morning. They managed to score three of their tries in the first half to lead 19-7 at half time.
The team was understandably pleased and relieved at the same time as they have slumped to three consecutive quarter final losses in the Cup section.
The Blitzbokke beat England in the semi final, and after being behind 10-0 at half time, scored immediately after the break and again 2 minutes later to lead 14-10 with about 3 minutes to go. A late penalty secured the game for the Boks.
Cecil Afrika was back in the team after missing the Wellington tournament due to a jaw injury, and was the tournament’s top scorer with 54 points, including 5 tries.
The next two tournaments take place next month in Hong Kong and Adelaide and a good showing at both these events could yet see South Africa challenge the leaders at the top of Sevens World Series table.
The team arrives on Tuesday evening in Cape Town.
Series standings:
1. England 80 points
2. New Zealand 80
3. Fiji 64
4. Samoa 64
5. South Africa 56
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Nice one boys, was nice to see Treu ditch his super super structure approach and go back to his old method of “moer it into the space” approach.
Well done! This makes me wish that I actually stayed up and watched this. 🙁
@Pokkel (Comment 2) : It was not half bad 😛
Really chuffed…our youngsters are showing their talents…especially New Shark Paul Jordaan…he caught up to Norton from England on 2 occasions from behind…really good pace! Just another 3 kg or so of muscle and he will be in peak condition for senior 15 a side rugby. Paul also scored some sick tries!! Very Well done Blitzbokke and Paul Treu!!!
@JJR (Comment 4) : Ja, Paul was a bladdy star
@Pokkel (Comment 2) : Same on you…we need treu supporters 😈
@JJR (Comment 4) : @Clayton(PJLD) (Comment 5) : Cecil Afrika an Branco Du Preez was imense as a como
@JJR (Comment 4) :
What a talent ! Sharks are extremely blessed to have him on your books.Best sidestep Iv seen in years from a SA player.
@csb (Comment 8) :
How about asking Mr Gumede to offer him a contract?? 😈
@wpw (Comment 9) : Don’t think we should mention his name anymore…i am scared he will come sniffing around with his fat pocket. “Money is the root to all evil” Leave The Sharks alone and start focusing on what you have in your province and develop your own youth structures. There is no such thing as a quick fix…in the end it will take a while before things start to take a step forward.
Was great to watch. 😎
What can I say? Cecil Afrika is a sevens legend. And Paul Jordaan is simply just awesome.
Branco du preez does some awesome work on defence for a guy who doesn’t even weigh 80kg
@Ben: yes,cecil afrika is something else.
Well done Bokkies, now do it more often.
When is arti for vc games getting posted?
@bergshark (Comment 13) : I don’t know hey I can’t seem to get a like in branco
@JJR (Comment 10) :
ahhh the double standard .. nice !
@bergshark (Comment 16) : hmmmm. Good question 🙂
@Ben: could it be because branco is @ the bulls?? 😉
Don’t know if he will be able to play superrugby (he is an outside centre if I’m not mistaken?) with his physique..should perhaps specialise in the 7s game.
@robdylan: no-one done an arti yet??
What has happened to richard ferguson?
@bergshark (Comment 20) : nope didn’t even know he plays for the bulls. I just can’t seem to like his style. Wich province does cecil play for?
Cecil afrika was last I heard playing for the griffons(n fs)
Think he went to hentie cilliers (same school as jean deysel)
@Ben: jip,he went to hentiew cilliers in virginia.
Date of birth: 3march 1988
Height:1.75m
Weight:70kg
Played sa schools in 2006
Position:fullback
@bergshark (Comment 25) : Okay cool thanks. He turns 23 in 3 weeks
When does Paul Jordaan join us??
@Original Champion (Comment 27) : after the 7s season, but Treu reckons he wants him back next year
@robdylan (Comment 28) : so who has got first say? Plumtree, Treu or Jordaan himself?
@Ben (Comment 29) : well, you gotta add Straeuli’s name to that list as well.
It’s quite complicated, though, because the SA Sevens team will contribute a fair bit to the price of Jordaan’s contract. The Sharks “own” him on paper, but since SARU are also paying for his services, they can’t call all the shots.
I think that if the player himself decides he doesn’t want to play sevens, then there’s no way Treu will force him to. But by the same token, if he does want to, it’s unlikely the Sharks will stop him, so long as he comes back.
I was chatting to Treu about this on Twitter today and he reckons that Paul will play Currie Cup this year already.
@robdylan (Comment 30) : just to carry on my ramble, I’d actually be quite surprised if he jumps straight over Bosman, Swanepoel, Mnisi, Jenner and Williams to end up in the Currie Cup side as a 19-year-old. I reckon Jordaan should play under 19 rugby for the Sharks this year, then go back to sevens next year. let’s look at how he goes in the under 21s in 2012 before deciding if he’s ready for Super Rugby in 2013. I reckon he will be.
@robdylan (Comment 30) : Yeah I reckon that as well the guy has got some serious skills saw him this weekend for the 1st time. So does the sevens pay Jordaan a salary as well on top of the sharks salary he already gets? That’s excluding the bonuses they get at the sevens for winning?
@Ben (Comment 32) : well, they contribute to his salary. It probably means he earns more than the average guy on a junior Sharks contract, but probably not double…
Then again, this guy is a seriously big name, so I reckon the Sharks had to stump up a fair few bucks to get him.
@robdylan (Comment 33) : Where did he come from?