BlitzBoks dominate in the desert
SATURDAY WRAP: South Africa won their fourth-successive title at the Dubai leg of the Sevens World Series.
Coming back from a shock 5-14 loss to the combined British team in their opening match, the BlitzBoks went on a winning spree – including demolishing Ireland 21-5 in the Final on Saturday.
Shilton van Wyk crossed for two tries, as South Africa won the second leg of the World Series.
With qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games resting on this season’s standings, stakes are high and so it showed on the second day in the UAE with some more high-quality Sevens.
South Africa are winners of five of the last six tournaments in Dubai, including twice last season – when events were played on back-to-back weekends as organisers juggled with the post-pandemic travel issues.
The BlitzBoks saw off Samoa 24-19 in the quarters, before running out 26-19 victors over New Zealand in the semifinals.
Ireland beat Argentina 19-14 before edging the United States – who beat Hong Kong winners Australia in their quarterfinal – 12-7 for their place in the Final.
Two tries from Van Wyk and another by Siviwe Soyizwapi, all converted by Ricardo James Duarttee, handed the BlitzBoks a healthy 21-0 half-time lead over the Irish.
Jack Kelly pulled a try back for Ireland early in the second period, but they couldn’t get any closer to South Africa.
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What a player for the @Blitzboks 🇿🇦
Shilton van Wyk is the HSBC Player of the Final#Dubai7s | #HSBC7s | @HSBC_Sport pic.twitter.com/omP87k6rFr
— World Rugby 7s (@WorldRugby7s) December 3, 2022
The main results
Cup Final:
South Africa 21-5 Ireland
Third-place play-off:
New Zealand 31-12 United States
Fifth-place:
Argentina 12-19 France
Cup semifinals:
Ireland 12-7 United States
New Zealand 19-26 South Africa
Cup quarterfinals:
Argentina 14-19 Ireland
United States 24-19 Australia
France 0-20 New Zealand
South Africa 24-19 Samoa
