Publications
Partners
SA down northern neighbours in a win that lacked polish
South Africa opened the Cape Town campaign of their World Sevens Series with a 26-5 win over northern neighbours Zimbabwe at the Cape Town Stadium yesterday.
But it wasn’t quite the convincing a victory that coach Neil Powell would have been hoping for as they opened their Pool B fixtures.
The Blitzbokke’s remaining two pool games yesterday were against another African opponent in the shape of Kenya, and then England in the evening.
Kenya did the Blitzbokke something of a favour by holding the powerful English side to a 19-19 draw.
The South Africans led 19-0 at the break after tries by Juan de Jongh and Stormers team-mate Cheslin Kolbe. Playmaker Justin Geduld scored a third after the hooter sounded. The latter nailed two conversions, with the second being particularly impressive.
There were many basic errors by both sides, with speedster and try-scoring machine Seabelo Senatla looking uncharacteristically butter-fingered on at least two occasions.
The second half saw a good few substitutions for the home side, with Rosko Specman and Francois Hougaard coming on.
It was close to midway through the second half that the first score came and it was the wholly amateur Zimbabweans who crossed after a lovely flicked-on pass allowed the pony-tailed Riaan O’Neill to canter over near the uprights, but the conversion failed (19-5).
The game was put beyond doubt with one minute and 45 seconds to go, as Senatla looked like adding to his 98 international Sevens tries.
But he ripped open the play down the left to free Specman, who went under the posts and converted for the final score of 26-5.
The South Africans have a lot of polishing to do after a good few knock-ons and, importantly, two missed line-outs on their own throw. Better opponents will pounce on errors like that in this format of the game.
Skipper Kyle Brown was playing his 50th tournament of Sevens. It would have been more if he had not suffered so many injuries during his career.
“The first game is always difficult, no matter who you play. The legs are heavy and it’s always a busy build-up to your home tournament.
“But it’s great positive energy that we get from home support.
“It was also great playing the Zimbabweans. I’ve had a few training camps there, so it’s always nice playing against old friends,” he said.
After this, he filed off through a tunnel of support from team-mates and opponents alike – something that epitomises the spirit of the Sevens. – Sports24
