At the recent SVNS Perth Tournament, the South African men’s sevens team, affectionately known as the Blitzboks, had a rollercoaster of a ride across three days. Ultimately, they claimed fifth place.
The Perth tournament was the third installation of a series of globe-trotting fixtures as part of the 2023/24 HSBC SVNS, a refreshing new take on a rugby sevens tournament. Despite the high hopes and expectations, the Blitzboks came up short against tough competition. However, they did manage to secure a respectable position in the overall standings.
The Blitzboks in the Pool Stage
As the sun shone down on Perth, Australia, the Blitzboks got off to a strong start. They enjoyed two decisive victories against Spain and Canada, demonstrating their potential as one of the top contenders. However, they encountered a significant challenge on the second day, where they suffered a big 19-5 loss against current leaderboard toppers, Argentina.
Despite this, they did still manage to qualify for the knockout stages.
The Blitzboks in the Knockouts
In their quarter-final, the Blitzboks narrowly lost to Fiji 12-14. This loss was a blow for the team and it highlighted the intense competition and the fine margins that often decide the outcomes in the competitive world of sevens rugby.
In response to the quarter-final setback, the Blitzboks showed resilience and determination. They bounced back with a comfortable victory against France, winning 24-5 to secure fifth place.
This victory was a testament to the team’s spirit and capability, as they outplayed France with a combination of teamwork, individual excellence, and strategic gameplay. Despite missing key players due to injury, the team’s performance in this match was particularly noteworthy, with contributions from both seasoned players and newcomers making a significant impact.
What does this Mean for the Blitzboks?
The Blitzboks’ fifth-place position in Perth repeats their outcome on home soil in Cape Town and a first-place finish in Dubai. This leaves them in fourth place in the overall series standings, behind Australia, Fiji, and Argentina. This ranking reflects the team’s competitive edge and consistent performance across the series, despite the challenges faced.
Looking ahead, the Blitzboks are focused on preparing for the immediate tournaments in Vancouver and Los Angeles. Even further along, they have more tournaments coming up in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Madrid. This gives them plenty of time to climb higher up the leaderboard.
The team is keen on improving their standings and continuing to compete at the highest level, with every point being crucial in the tightly contested series. The lessons learned in Perth will undoubtedly fuel their ambitions and strategies for future success.