Lucky Sithole
It is understandable that lovers of sport can watch a single match of sevens rugby and declare that it isn’t really rugby.
A sevens match lasts a total of only fourteen minutes, it has no hulking forwards, there are no collisions between 110kg juggernauts and (importantly) there are very few fist fights or handbags being flung around.
But dismissing sevens based on the viewing of a single match, is like eating the cherry off the cake and deciding you don’t like the cake.
Sevens is not a 14 minute sprint. It is a three-day marathon. Teams play six matches, each with its own challenges and tactics. Keeping that level of concentration is a major mission and a major accomplishment.
A tennis player in a grand slam and a golfer in a major golf tournament have the same challenges.
Looking back at South Africa’s march to the final at the sevens tournament in Malaga over the weekend, there was an inevitability about their path to the final and the trophy.
Looking at the way (say) England, with eight debutants, handled their tournament is a better picture of what sevens is about. First up, England manage a narrow win against Scotland (24-17), then they get slaughtered by South Africa (0-43). How do they respond? Brilliantly.
They beat France in the quarter-finals (12-5) with a fighting performance, but then they lose concentration and lose the semi-final against Argentina. The 17-26 score line does not show that they were never in the match.
It is difficult to remember that the team of battle hardened veterans who beat Australia (24-20) for the bronze medal is the same bunch of rookies that conceded seven tries against the Blitzboks. Such is the nature of sevens. England will be back, a much tougher team.
The next tournament is in Seville, this coming weekend. Pick a team, buy a six pack, braai some meat and run the three day marathon with them. It is so much better than just having the cherry on top.
Image source: @Blitzboks
