BlitzBoks are World Champions again

DAY TWO WRAP: South Africa were crowned Sevens World champions in Los Angeles.

The BlitzBoks beat Spain to the HSBC World Championship crown in the season-ending event.

Given the competitive nature of the elite Sevens game, it is worth noting that the BlitzBoks placed ninth in the last tournament in the World Series in Singapore.

Selvyn Davids was named Player of the Match in the Final, in no small part as a result of his try from deep to break the deadlock.

Spain’s captain Pol Pla brought his team to within two points with a fine try, but Mfundo Ndhlovu extended South Africa’s advantage when he gathered an awkward bouncing ball around his shins, slalomed through the Spain defence and ran off to score.

Spain was handed a lifeline when Zander Reynders was sin-binned for the final two minutes of the game for tackling his opponent while in the air.

But South Africa did not panic.

Siviwe Soyizwapi won a turnover with a jackal against the odds, and that spirit was replicated when Ricardo Duarte scored for the six-man BlitzBoks in the dying seconds for a 19-5 final score.

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Good things come to those who… volley the ball 🤷‍♂️

Just ask Shilton Van Wyk 🤯#HSBCSVNS | #HSBCSVNSLAX | @Blitzboks pic.twitter.com/uwn4dEaRsv

— HSBC SVNS (@SVNSSeries) May 4, 2025

“The team never stopped believing,” said BlitzBoks coach Philip Snyman.

“They played five phenomenal games and were unstoppable.

“This team can go places.

“I am very proud of them.”

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THIRD-PLACE PLAY-OFF

New Zealand secured their first podium finish of the season with a 38-17 success against Argentina.

They responded to Tobias Wade’s try for Argentina by running in four first-half tries thanks to a Ngarohi McGarvey-Black brace and singles by Sofai Maka and Akuila Rokolisoa, who slid in with an outstretched arm to score.

Rob Rush went off for two minutes for a high tackle on Luciano Gonzalez and was soon followed by Maka for a late challenge and while down to five men Argentina got it back to within seven points through Marcos Moneta and Lautaro Bazan Velez.

With their numbers restored, New Zealand attacked and made sure of the bronze when Brady Rush’s footwork and pace produced a try and McGarvey-Black got his hat-trick.

SEMIFINALS

Spain underlined their improving status in Sevens by beating Argentina, the League champions for the past two years, in their semifinal by 29 points to five.

Los Leones withstood intense pressure before their captain Pla got away from Marcos Moneta to score in the corner. Matters worsened for Los Pumas when Santiago Mare was shown a red card for crashing his shoulder into the face of Eduardo Lopez, who dusted himself down to make it 10-0 as they made their numerical advantage count.

Alejandro Laforga had two minutes cooling his heels on the touchline for a less dangerous challenge than Mare’s, and when big Luciano Gonzalez went over to halve the deficit it seemed possible that Argentina could yet turn it around.

Instead, Spain hit them three times before the hooter sounded. Francisco Cosculluela assessed his options in midfield and backed himself to score a solo try and two tries by Tobias Sainz-Trapaga sparked celebrations among the Spanish coaching squad on the touchline as they ended a 19-game losing streak against their mighty opponents.

South Africa seized the chance to play Spain in the showpiece match with a 26-5 win over New Zealand.

The BlitzBoks never looked back after Shilton van Wyk twice crossed the try line and Quewin Nortje added another for a 21-0 lead at the break.

Nortje had to sacrifice half his green jersey as it was ripped from his torso when he collected a quote sensational crossfield kick by Ronald Brown and fought his way over to score before Frank Vaenuku registered a score for New Zealand.

Men’s Day Two results

Final
Spain 5-19 South Africa

Third-place play-off
Argentina 17-38 New Zealand

Cup semifinals
Spain 29-5 Argentina
South Africa 31-5 New Zealand

Fifth-place play-off
France 33-7 Australia

Seventh-place play-off
Great Britain 31-19 Fiji

Second-tier competition

Semifinals
Kenya 24-5 Canada
Samoa 0-31 Germany

Qualifying
Kenya 12-17 United States
Portugal 12-21 Samoa
Germany 17-22 Canada
Uruguay 27-12 Ireland

(Women’s wrap follows below …)

* Meanwhile, New Zealand women were crowned HSBC SVNS 2025 champions.

The women’s Final featured Olympic gold medallists New Zealand and reigning SVNS champions Australia who have played out some epic encounters over this World Series.

New Zealand added more silverware to their collection as they beat Australia for the fourth time in a row to win the World Championship.

Already SVNS League winners, they proved too strong for a young but immensely talented Australia team.

Player of the Match Jorja Miller scored a marvellous try to get her team going, picking up from her own 22 to score her 29th of the season, and the Black Ferns Sevens went on to show their dominance with a 31-7 final score.

“Man, that feels good,” New Zealand captain Sarah Hirini said.

“After the Olympic gold medal, we wanted to show we are a great team and to us that was winning the League and winning the [World Championship] Series, and we did it.”

Women’s Day Two results

Cup Final
Australia 7-31 New Zealand

Third-place play-off
Canada 27-7 United States

Cup semifinals
Australia 33-7 Canada
New Zealand 34-7 United States

Fifth-place play-off
Great Britain 14-46 Fiji

Seventh-place play-off
Japan 29-17 France

Second-tier competition

Semifinals
Kenya 17-14 South Africa
Spain 28-0 Argentina

Qualifying
South Africa 17-14 Argentina
China 19-15 Ireland
Kenya 7-5 Colombia
Brazil 14-5 Spain