Blitzboks didn’t match their standards

THE BLITZBOKS now have almost a month off to get over the disappointment of the last two tournaments in North America and to also get ready for the final four tournaments in the World Rugby Sevens Series, as well as the Commonwealth Games.

Neil Powell’s injury-hit squad finished fourth and third respectively in the last fortnight in Las Vegas and Vancouver, but remain first in the series standings with 109 points. Winners in Vancouver at the weekend, Fiji, are second with 101 points.

The Blitzboks, minus several first-choice players who stayed home because of injury, did far better than expected in Canada, going all the way to the semi-finals where they were edged by Fiji. The Blitzboks got oh so close to winning the game, but for a spilled ball on the tryline at the death which cost them as they went down 15-12. Earlier they came back from 19-0 down at halftime against Australia in the quarter-finals to win 24-19 in their performance of the weekend. In the playoff game for third place they got the better of the USA 29-7.

A number of youngsters like Marco Labuschagne, Zain Davids, Selvyn Davids, Stedman Gans and Muller du Plessis were among the rookies in the Blitzbok squad over the weekend.

Powell said he was satisfied with his team’s showing over the two days in Canada. “We have very high standards and there were times when we didn’t achieve those standards, but at other times we played very well and I thought our comeback against Australia was very pleasing,” he said.

“I thought we were out of it to be honest, but the guys maintained good composure.”

The coach was upset that his charges couldn’t get the job done in the semi-finals, especially as they led for much of the contest. “We had an opportunity to beat them (Fiji) and we didn’t take it. Against teams like that you get only one chance,” Powell said.