Brown: It was an emotional weekend
The BlitzBoks recovered from an indifferent start on day one of the inaugural Cape Town Sevens to emerge victors in the Cup section on day two with a 29-14 win over Argentina in the Final.
For Brown it was all a roller-coaster ride.
"It was an emotional weekend. I did not realise how much it would hit me," said Brown.
"It was tough – we bottomed out yesterday [Saturday]. It was difficult to be in that kind of place and then again to have all that emotions after playing England and just to see the character of the guys pull through.
"We let go of that pressure after that game and we came out and just played some enjoyable rugby today [Sunday]. We appreciated our time on this field."
Rugby fans came out in full force over the two-day event, which added even more pressure on the BlitzBoks to do well.
However, Brown feels that the overwhelming support, especially during the singing of the national anthem before the Cup Final, gave them some extra momentum to go all the way.
"It can really overwhelm you. Justin [Geduld] had a couple of tears in his eyes after that anthem – it was a special anthem.
"To have 50 000 people belting it out like that and just throwing all their support behind us, it really feels like momentum is tipping in your favour when you got that much support and that many voices behind you.
"I think the first linebreak we made, the crowd was even louder than what they were during that anthem and those are the kind of feelings that we feel and things that we can hear. It does make a difference," Brown added.
Meanwhile, BlitzBoks head coach Neil Powell said his team was fortunate not to suffer any injuries during the Cape Town leg like they did in Dubai last week.
The BlitzBoks lost World Sevens Player of the Year Werner Kok and playmaker Cecil Afrika to injuries in that opening leg of the World Sevens Series.
"Looking at a team like New Zealand losing five players last weekend and then another three – all of a sudden you are deep in your reserves," said Powell.
"I think we have been blessed with injuries. I know we had two in Dubai with Cecil and Werner.
"Credit must also be given to the unions that released players like Juan [de Jongh] and Hougie [Francois Hougaard] to come and play for us.
"It is great to see the XVs guys coming in and the way they fit into our squad and what they can bring to Sevens.
"We are still testing out some players and I am grateful that they came through – actually all the guys that played over the last two weekends did."
By Warren Fortune
@FortuneWarren
@rugby365com
