'Mission accomplished' for BlitzBoks
South Africa may have failed, again, to clinch the Sevens World Series title, but coach Neil Powell said they achieved their main objective.
The BlitzBoks on Sunday finished second overall the 2014/2015 Sevens World Series in second place – after falling to Fiji in the quarterfinals of the London leg and also losing to New Zealand in the Plate Final.
However, Powell said Olympic Games qualification was always their main goal.
The team had a chance to clinch the series at Twickenham on Sunday, when they faced eventual series winners Fiji in the Cup quarterfinals.
However, they lost 7-19-7, resulting in the South Sea island team winning the 2014/15 overall title.
A 28-7 win over Scotland in the semifinals secured a consecutive Plate Final, but the BlitzBoks lost to New Zealand 26-14.
The result confirmed the overall second place on the series log, with New Zealand finishing in third place overall and England fourth.
The United States won the final, beating Australia to win their first ever title on the circuit.
Fiji, South Africa, New Zealand and England secured qualification for the Rugby Sevens at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.
Powell said that while they were disappointed not to win the World Series title, qualifying for the Olympics in Rio next year was their main aim.
"I am pleased with our performance in the series," Powell said.
"Our main aim was to qualify for the Olympics and in the end it was just a lack of composure that cost us the series title.
"We have a lot to be proud of.
"The big lesson we have learned was that every game is as important as the next and a mistake you make in Las Vegas can cost you in London."
The BlitzBoks team reached seven consecutive semifinals and winning finals in Dubai and Port Elizabeth, as well as contesting the final in Tokyo.
BlitzBoks flyer Seabelo Senatla finished the season as leading try scorer with 47 tries.
During the season, Cecil Afrika (1019) also passed Fabian Juries (925) as the highest points' scorer ever for the BlitzBoks.
"We showed a lot of spirit and determination on defence, but made a number of errors on attack and that cost us," said Powell said of their quarterfinal loss to Fiji.
"We kicked away possession and lost balls in contact and that was the difference.
"We played well against Scotland [in the Plate semifinal] and I decided to give newer members of the squad such as Carel du Preez and Ruhan Nel a chance to play against New Zealand in the Plate Final so that they can experience what it is like at that level.
"We did not play well though, but I am happy for the players getting the exposure."
Powell admitted that two defeats to Fiji in as many weeks, which resulted in Fiji clinching the overall title, hurt.
"We are not happy about that. We were leading coming into the last two tournaments, but could not keep Fiji out and that is disappointing. We will have to find a way to play against them differently, as we are not getting the results," said Powell.
"Congratulations to Fiji, as they showed they really wanted this and proved it on the field. They are a great side."
The team will arrive back in South Africa on Tuesday.
