Lucky Sithole
A try in the second minute for Mfundo Ndhlovu appears to be a good omen for the Blitzboks – but it is not to be.
For the rest of the first half the only notable part of the Blitzboks’ game, is conceding three very unnecessary penalties, one of them resulting in a yellow card for Zain Davids.
Ireland score the equaliser and the Blitzboks are lucky to go into halftime with the scores tied at 7-7.
Ireland score early but South Africa respond with a majestic run from Siviwe Soyizwapi that results in a try. With the score 14-12 in favour of Ireland, the match is still very much in the balance – but from then on it’s all Ireland.
The highlight (or would that be lowlight?) of the match is the way Terry Kennedy slices through the Blitzboks defence to score under the posts.
Sevens is a game that is won or lost in loose play. It is a sign of a mismatch when a team dominates another from the set pieces and this is exactly what Ireland did.
It’s early days but if this match is the first step in the Blitzboks’ journey to the Cape Town World Cup in September, it was a serious stumble.
There is a lot of work to do in the next 112 days, but the one thing the Blitzboks should demonstrate to the loyal South African fans is passion.
And they need to do it now! If they are going to play the game as if they don’t care, then they must expect the fans to stop caring about them – and it happens very quickly.
Show the fans your passion – or they will show you the door.
South Africa 12-21 Ireland
South Africa: Tries: Mfundo Ndhlovu, Siviwe Soyizwapi. One conversion.
Ireland: Tries: Terry Kennedy (2), Jack Kelly. Three conversions.
Image source: @Blitzboks
