By Lucky Maree
Against the host nation, France in the first game, it’s great to hear the names of Justin Geduld, Ronald Brown and Dewald Human that have not been heard together on the sevens field for ever so long.
But the French immediately score first through Theo Forner with their first touch of the ball. Then Ronald Brown is yellow-carded and the Blitzboks make a tiny mistake to allow Jordan Sepho to score for France. William Iraguha scores for France after great handling and Jordan Sepho does the same a minute later. With two minutes to go James Murphy swoops on a loose ball for South Africa’s first score but after the final whistle William Iraguha responds with a try for France.
The kindest description of the Blitzboks’ performance? Rusty.
By the time the Fiji vs Blitzboks match comes on, the rain is bucketing down. Both these teams rely on speed and moves. What impact will the rain have?
Dewald Human scores after just one minute and Fiji get a yellow card. A great run by Shaun Williams is undone when the wet ball gets knocked on, but so far the Blitzboks are dominating all aspects of the game. Fiji gets another yellow card. They will play four of the 14 minutes with six players. The second Blitzboks try is a classic: a kick pass, an inside pass, a score for Mfundo Ndhlovu. Fiji respond with a coast-to-coast masterclass for Waisea Nacuqu. Shilton van Wyk scores probably the best try of his career – and just when it is sorely needed. Ricky Duarttee does what he does best. A brilliant solo effort buries the great Fijian side.
A magnificent win for the Blitzboks.
The game against the USA starts beautifully for the Blitzboks when Ronald Brown scores, but the USA respond with a converted try for Malacchi Esdale. Dewald Human is yellow-carded for a tip tackle. The logic is right, the decision is bad. With Human on the bench, the USA attack, but they don’t penetrate. One minute into the second half, Justin Geduld makes a perfect steal and Christie Grobbelaar does the finishing. Decisive score? Possibly. USA’s greatest scoring chance comes to a crashing halt when Justin Geduld makes the tackle of the tournament. Then Brown, Geduld and Visser all provide a little bit of magic to give Human a clear run to score under the poles. You want more? Shaun Williams provides “more” with a try in the corner.
Into the semi-finals fly the Blitzboks.
Blitzboks 7 (1 try-5 tries) 31 France
Blitzboks 24 (4 tries-1 try) 7 Fiji
Blitzboks 24 (4 tries-1 try) 7 USA
Pictured above: Blitzboks
Image source: @blitzboks
