The Springboks Sevens claimed back-to-back HSBC Cape Town Sevens crowns after defeating Argentina in front of a packed Cape Town Stadium on Sunday, 7 December, thus becoming the first side to win successive crowns in Cape Town.
Earlier in the day, the Blitzboks won their semi-final encounter 22-17 against France.
Phillip Snayman’s charges, who booked their semi-final spot yesterday after a flawless group stage with wins against Fiji (24-21), New Zealand (19-14) and Great Britain (41-7), came into the encounter firing on all cylinders, backed by the vociferous Cape Town crowd.
Missing some of their key players, including semi-final star Tristan Leyds, the Blitzboks conceded a converted try in the second minute through Luciano González Rizzoni. In the fourth minute of the game, following a turnover in their 22-metre area, Donovan Don scored for the Blitzboks.
Photo Rashied Isaacs Credit: Doc Jannie Nel
From the resultant restart, Argentina obtained possession to score their second try in the sixth minute of the game through Marcos Moneta.
Efforts to equalise before half-time drew a blank as the Springboks Sevens made some silly handling mistakes.
The half ended 14-7 to Argentina.
In the first minute of the second half, Moneta crossed the whitewash for the second time, putting Argentina 19-7 up.
However, the Blitzboks refused to give up and continued to push hard at the start of the second half.
They were rewarded in the second minute when debutant Sonwabo Sokoyi, who scored his first try for the team in the match against France, sprinted to the tryline after sleek footwork in front of the Argentine players.
The Springboks continued to push hard, forcing Argentina to concede penalties in their 22-metre area.
With defeat looming, Shilton van Wyk broke the Argentine line and made a delicate pass to Christoffel Grobbelaar to score the final try and level the scores in the final minute of the game. A conversion ensured the boys retained the trophy by registering a 21-19 victory.
The win elevated the Springboks to the top of the HSBC log after two rounds.
The Blitzboks will look to carry their winning formula to Singapore in January next year.
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