New Zealand dominate Dubai, BlitzBoks finish strong
DAY TWO WRAP: New Zealand’s men and women’s teams both claimed gold in their respective Finals against Trans-Tasman rivals Australia at the Dubai SVNS, whilst the BlitzBoks clinched fifth place.
It wasn’t all doom and gloom for Springbok Sevens head coach Philip Snyman after the BlitzBoks’ fifth-place finish at the Dubai Sevens on Sunday, but he admitted that they did not perform to their own expectations.
After dropping out of the title race on Saturday, the BlitzBoks outplayed Great Britain 34-0 and Spain 21-12 for a strong finish on Sunday at The Sevens Stadium.
Snyman said that there were some positives from the HSBC SVNS opener, despite their disappointing opening day.
South Africa opened their Pool A campaign on Saturday with a win over France, but then lost to Fiji and Argentina, missing out on the semifinals.
“We used our opportunities much better today compared to yesterday, and that delivered a better result,” said Snyman.
“I am happy with our response today, but yesterday was not our best day. The good start against France was quickly forgotten when Fiji outplayed us on attack, defence and physically, and we did not use our chances against Argentina.
“Today’s performance at least shows that we did apply the work-ons from yesterday.
“The format is really tough, make no mistake, and teams can even win two of three pool games and still not make it into the semifinals, but that was not our excuse. We were just not good enough on the weekend.”
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Who else but Jorja 💪
Two tries and a dominant performance secures Jorja Miller as the @HSBC_Sport Player of the Final #HSBCSVNS | #HSBCSVNSDXB pic.twitter.com/ZlEh46POH7
— HSBC SVNS (@SVNSSeries) November 30, 2025
Snyman said some reviews and reflections with management and players alike will follow soon, and that they will all be on the same page come the HSBC SVNS Cape Town next weekend.
“We have enough to work on,” he said. “Ball retention, how to play against the physically bigger teams and how to use our chances will all be improved on when we run out in Cape Town.”
New Zealand’s men’s and women’s teams are the big winners this weekend.
The Black Ferns defeated Japan 31-5 to advance to the Cup Final, defeating Australia 29-14 after a dominant first-half display.
The men’s side ensured the Kiwi double against their neighbours across the Tasman.
They left it late to defeat Fiji 24-21 in the semifinal before sealing the deal against Australia in another tight affair by 26-22.
See below for Day Two’s results:
An all action performance 💪
Brady Rush is your @HSBC_Sport Player of the Final #HSBCSVNS | #HSBCSVNSDXB pic.twitter.com/hcVKHKnewI
— HSBC SVNS (@SVNSSeries) November 30, 2025
Women’s teams
Fifth-place semifinals
USA 49-14 Great Britain
Canada 19-12 France
Cup semifinals
New Zealand 31-5 Japan
Australia 31-10 Fiji
Seventh-place play-off
Great Britain 5-46 France
Fifth-place play-off
USA 19-14 Canada
Third-place play-off
Japan 22-12 Fiji
Cup Final
New Zealand 29-14 Australia
Men’s teams
Fifth-place semifinals
Argentina 28-31 Spain
Great Britain 0-34 South Africa
Cup semifinals
France 0-14 Australia
New Zealand 24-21 Fiji
Seventh-place play-off
Argentina 19-24 Great Britain
Fifth-place play-off
Spain 12-21 South Africa
Third-place play-off
France 7-24 Fiji
Cup Final
Australia 22-26 New Zealand
