Get Newsletter

PARIS SEVENS: BlitzBoks win World Series after dramatic Final day

DAY TWO WRAP: South Africa dramatically retained their overall World Sevens Series title by beating England in the final of the last of 10 tournaments on Sunday.

ADVERTISEMENT

The BlitzBoks’ 24-14 victory in Paris ensured they overhauled Fiji in the overall standings by 182 to 180 points.

It was only their second tournament victory out of 10 in the 2017/18 season compared to Fiji’s five – including the last four in a row – but South Africa’s consistency in reaching at least the semifinals of every event proved decisive.

England’s 19-17 victory over Fiji in the quarterfinals – thanks to a stunning winning try at the end of a 26-pass move – was crucial despite the Pacific Islanders bouncing back to claim fifth place with a 28-7 win over the United States.

In the final Werner Kok opened the scoring for the Boks before the English went ahead through scores from Oliver Lindsay-Hague and Dan Norton.

A Ryan Oosthuizen try levelled matters at 14-14 before Dewald Human got South Africa’s third and a Justin Geduld penalty secured the win.

Earlier in the day, South Africa edged past Spain 15-10 in the quarterfinal with a try in the fifth minute of overtime by Justin Geduld, after the scores were tied 10-10 at the end of regular time. The Blitzboks then found their stride in the semifinal with a comprehensive 24-12 victory over New Zealand thanks to a pair of tries from the impressive 23-year-old  Human who only made his debut two months ago in Hong Kong.

ADVERTISEMENT

Human, who was again in try-scoring form in the final, was delighted to be voted Player of the Final: “It’s been a fantastic experience here in Paris. I backed myself and just enjoyed every minute on the field. We stuck to the game plan and are very happy with the win.”

South Africa captain Philip Snyman added: “We wanted to go out and play some fantastic rugby and focus on what we could control. The guys played phenomenal rugby and all credit to the team. We just did the simple stuff and played with smiles on our faces today. It’s an amazing feeling representing such an amazing country and the people back home never stopped believing in us and supporting us.”

Day Two Results:

ADVERTISEMENT

Cup Final:
England 14-24 South Africa

Bronze Final:
Canada 5-38 New Zealand

Fifth place play-off:
Fiji 28-7 USA

Challenge Trophy Final:
Argentina 33-26 Wales

Thirteenth Place play-off:
Kenya 21-20 Scotland

Cup semifinals:
New Zealand 12-24 South Africa
England 26-12 Canada

Fifth place semifinals:
USA 28-7 Spain
Fiji 38-5 Ireland

Challenge Trophy semifinals:
Argentina 24-19 Australia
France 26-28 Wales

Thirteenth place semifinals:
Samoa 19-24 Scotland
Kenya 26-14 Russia

Cup quarterfinals:
South Africa 15-10 Spain
USA 7-33 New Zealand
Ireland 5-19 Canada
Fiji 17-19 England

Challenge Trophy quarterfinals:
Scotland 5-28 Wales
France 19-7 Samoa
Australia 14-5 Russia
Kenya 12-19 Argentina

@WorldRugby7s AFP & @rugby365com

Join free

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | Episode 6

Sam Warburton | The Big Jim Show | Full Episode

Japan Rugby League One | Sungoliath v Eagles | Full Match Replay

Japan Rugby League One | Spears v Wild Knights | Full Match Replay

Boks Office | Episode 10 | Six Nations Final Round Review

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | How can New Zealand rugby beat this Ireland team

Beyond 80 | Episode 5

Rugby Europe Men's Championship Final | Georgia v Portugal | Full Match Replay

Write A Comment