Brilliant Blitzboks power to Cape Town Sevens series victory

It was the perfect ending to a tournament played in perfect conditions to an appreciative crowd of more than 75000 over two days in the Mother City, where the Blitzboks won all four their games.

The last time South Africa won their home tournament at DHL Stadium was in 2015, against Argentina in the final. They were runners-up in 2016 (against England) and 2019 (against New Zealand).

With Springbok captain Siya Kolisi in attendance, the Blitzboks played their hearts out, scoring four tries to France's two in the final.

France scored in the first minute, but the Blitzboks hit back a few minutes later when Donavan Don raced through on a perfect angle from an attacking lineout, to make it 7-7.

From the restart, Impi Visser won the ball back and after a few attacking phases, Zain Davids smashed his way through the French defence, with Ricardo Duartteeâ™s second conversion giving South Africa a seven point lead.

The French hit back on the stroke of halftime with another converted try and the teams went into the break even on 14-14.

The second half belonged to the Blitzboks though, as Shilton van Wyk scored from a superb Dewald Human grubber before David Brits all but sealed the deal with four minutes to go.

Despite a yellow card to Siviwe Soyizwapi, the Blitzboks held on for a fantastic victory.

Earlier on Sunday, the Blitzboks had to dig deep, but did what was necessary in their Cup semi-final against Spain, winning by 19-12 to advance to the final for the first time since 2019.

Spain shocked the big crowd to take a 12-0 lead with two tries in quick succession shortly before the break, with the Blitzboks stuck in their own half with very little possession. A number of lost lineouts didn't help their cause as the team in red made the most of their opportunities.

However, a breakaway try by Zain Davids on the stroke of half-time gave the South Africans and their fans a glimmer of hope against last weekend's runners-up in Dubai. Tristan Leyds missed the conversion and Spain led by 12-5 at the break.

The Blitzboks had the best possible start to the second half though when they spread the ball wide quickly from a lineout to Shilton van Wyk, who sped away for a brilliant try, with Leyds' conversion levelling the scores with six minutes to go.

A few minutes later, the Blitzboks again attacked from a set piece, this time a scrum in the Spanish 22, and Leyds had just enough space to go over under the sticks, with his conversion putting the hosts in the lead by seven points.

The Blitzboks kept up the pressure and were denied a fourth try when Shaun Williams was tackled into touch on the corner flag, after which Spain forced a few penalties and worked their way up-field, but the hosts' defence held firm to secure the victory.

France beat Fiji by 19-17 courtesy of a converted try in the corner with time up on the clock in the second semi-final.

Fiji finished the weekend with a win and the bronze medal after they beat Spain by 47-10 in the third-place playoff, in a repeat of last weekendâ™s final in Dubai.

In the women's competition, New Zealand were crowned champions after beating USA in the final, by 26-12, and France took the bronze medal after defeating the Aussies by 17-14.

In the semi-finals, New Zealand had too much class for France and won their semi-final by 43-0, setting up a final against USA, who upset last week's champions in Duban, Australia, by 24-19 in the second semi-final.

Scorers:

Blitzboks 19 (5) Spain 12 (12)

Blitzboks - Tries: Zain Davids, Shilton van Wyk, Tristan Leyds. Conversions: Leyds (2).

Spain - Tries: Eduardo Lopez, Alejandro Laforga. Conversion: Francisco Cosculluela.

Blitzboks 26 (14) France 14 (14)

Blitzboks -Tries: Donavan Don, Zain Davids, Shilton van Wyk, David Brits. Conversions: Ricardo Duarttee (3).

France - Tries: Celian Pouzelgues, Varian Pasquet. Conversions: Stephen Parez Edo Martin, Paulin Riva.

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