It was a David and Goliath battle between the South African Blitzbokke and the Argentina Pumas, however the Pumas crossed first through German Schulz, converted to lead 7-0. The Blitzbokke quickly replied through Rosko Specman, unconverted for a 7-5 lead to the David-like Pumas.
South Africa wins Cape Town Sevens crown
With three minutes remaining a beautiful kick through from Justin Geduld was nicely picked up by Seabelo Senatla to take the hosts ahead 10-7. Rosko Specman followed that up with his second to take the Blitzbokke to 17-7. The Pumas however grabbed one back at the stroke of halftime, converted for the halftime score of 17-14.
Four minutes in, in the second half, quick inter passing from a scrum put Seabelo Senatla through for his second for a 22-14 lead. Ryno Benjamin scored the clincher with 35 seconds to go for the final scoreline of 29-14.
It has been an electrifying tournament and the Blitzbokke deserve their victory in front of their 50,000 plus screaming fans but credit to the Argentina side for defying the odds to reach the final.
French Roosters take Third spot
The French rounded off their perfect weekend in style by claiming the third spot after defeating the Kenyans 28-26 after a last minute try to 35 year young Julien Candelon after good work from Vakatawa.
The Kenyans up until the final minute but the Julien Candelon spoiled their impending victory but consolation for them is that they finish fourth in the tournament.
The French who only lost a game last week was the giant killer on Day Two after beating the Flying Fijians in the Cup quarter final thanks largely to Fijian-born Virimi Vakatawa who orchestrated his fellow countrymen down fall to his adopted country 17-14.
The Kenyans who was undefeated on day one defeated the Americans in the quarters but lost out in a close encounter to the Pumas 24-22.
The Kenyans and French will build on what they archived in this last two weeks and try to get to the final in Wellington and Sydney.
Fiji recover from shock loss to win Plate final
Fiji raced away with two quick tries in the first half only for the Americans who again defeated the limping Kiwis to reach the Plate final to reply on each side of the half through Folau Niua and English-born captain Madison Hughes t take the scores to 14-12.
The Fijians however rallied and scored tries through Isake Katonibau, Vatemo Ravouvou and Emosi Mulevuro, the Americans scored late but wasn’t enough to win 29-19.
The New Zealand Sevens team again lost to a North American side and thrice in as many weeks against the Americans but that is due largely to their limping squad full of injuries which leaves you guessing the training they went through during the off-season.
While the Australians always humble the Fijians last season they have lost that this last two weeks succumbing to the Fijians in the Plate semis.
Scotland claim Bowl final
It was a tit for tat game between the Home Unions England and Scotland in the Bowl final as the Scots took the game to the English, showing a fighting spirit that should have propelled them to the top draw of the tournament.
Early tries to Lee Jones and Hugh Blake gave the Scots a upper hand over the Dubai 7s finalists, they followed that up in the second half with a try to James Johnstone to take the scores to 19-0 and was enough to win the Bowl title.
It was a very disappointing from the English and they will go back to the drawing board and comeback with vengeance in Wellington ans Sydney.
The English defeated the Canadian side 21-14 while the Scots defeated the other Home Union side Wales 29-14 to reach the Bowl finals.
While it was hard luck for the English to be in the Bowl competition, the Scots have improved tremendously without the likes of top points scorer Colin Gregor and Damien Hoyland.
The Welsh Scarlets will have to find their rhythm but Sam Cross and captain Luke Treharne should be credited for giving their all for the Scarlets and keeping their new players composed.
Meanwhile, the Canadians who defeated New Zealand and drew with France should put together a 14-minute game to be competitive.
Samoa wins Shield
The Damian McGrath coached side will return to Samoa with a shield from the opening leg of the HSBC World Sevens Series. With a young side in it’s rebuilding phase the Samoans overcame an early scare from Russia to win 4o-5.
The Samoans earlier defeated Zimbabwe 33-0 in the semis while Russia accounted for the Portugal side 38-5 to reach the Shield final.
While it has been a learning experience for the Portugese side and the Zimbabweans, the Samoans and Russians will go from here and fight well at the next stop at the Cake Tin in Wellington.
Player Of The Final:
The player of the final award went to Justin Geduld who played an instrumental role in the final setting up tries to Specman and Senatla. With Cecil Afrika out for sometime Geduld has cement his place as the top playmaker in his absence and the award was well deserved.
DHL IMPACT PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT:
Lee Jones of Scotland walks away with the award, He made 15 tackles, seven breaks, 25 carries and four offloads for a total of 51 points. (stats by worldrugby.org)
Cape Town Sevens DREAM TEAM: (courtesy of worldrugby.org)
Apisai Domolailai (Fiji)
Philip Snyman (RSA)
Willy Ambaka (Kenya)
Bautista Ezcuera (Argentina)
Collins Injera (Kenya)
Justin Geduld (RSA)
Virimi Vakatawa (France)
HSBC World Sevens Series Standings
- Fiji – 35 points
- South Africa – 35
- USA – 29
- Argentina – 29
- England – 26
- France – 25
- New Zealand 25
- Australia – 22
- Kenya -20
- Scotland – 15
- Samoa – 13
- Wales – 10
- Canada – 8
- Russia -3
- Japan – 2
- Portugal – 2
- Zimbabwe – 1 (Table courtesy of worldrugby.org)
The opening legs of the new season of the HSBC World Sevens Series is done and dusted while the Fijians share top spot with the South Africans, the Kiwis have sunk to an all time low of seventh spot, can they recover?
Join the quest for Rio as it continues at the Wellington Sevens at the end of January.
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