The Blitzboks went down 15-12 against Fiji in a thrilling semi-final at the Vancouver Sevens. MARIETTE ADAMS reports.
With seconds left on the clock and three points behind, the Blitzboks were awarded two penalties inside the 22. With the game on a knife-edge, Cecil Afrika took a quick tap after they got the second penalty and expertly put Siviwe Soyizwapi through a gap for what would have been a match-winning try. Unfortunately, the speedster dropped the ball cold and with that also the Blitzboks’ last chance of a win.
Earlier, the rejuvenated Blitzboks – still buoyed by their spectacular comeback win over Australia – took the fight to the Fijians. South Africa relished the physical battle and their defence – which was non-existent against New Zealand on day one and questionable against Australia in the quarter-final – was much improved as was their discipline.
Captain Philip Snyman crashed over for the first try after two minutes of play and Branco du Preez added the extras for a seven-point lead. Fiji hit back with an unconverted try and appeared destined to hit the front when they went close directly after the restart. But the Blitzboks defence somehow held firm and won a much-needed turnover which led to the South Africans scoring a vintage breakout try.
Kyle Brown and Afrika combined for a one-two pass, drawing in the defence and creating space out wide. With Fijians descending on him, Afrika threw a perfect cut-out pass to Dylan Sage, who sprinted the length of the field to score at the other end. The try enabled the Blitzboks to take a 12-5 lead at half-time.
Fiji finally got their offloading game working at the start of the second half and scored two quick tries, both unconverted, in no time to move three points clear of the Blitzboks.
The drama continued as the Blitzboks went deep into Fiji territory to set up a frenetic finale. But they fell agonisingly short of completing another last-gasp victory.
The Blitzboks will face the USA in the third-place playoff at 02:52 (SA time).
Kenya, who beat the USA in the other semi-final, will take on Fiji in the Cup final at 03:19 (SA time).
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