Powell proud of his team’s achievements

BLITZBOKS coach Neil Powell was humility personified after his team had snuck in through the backdoor to secure the Paris Sevens and the World Series titles for the second year in a row.

Powell himself had plenty to be proud of after being named World Series Coach of the Year at a function in Paris on Sunday night, while one of his star players, Dylan Sage, was named in the World Sevens Dream Team.

In another accolade for Powell’s charges, Dewald Human was named in the Paris Dream team.

The 23-year-old was in exceptional form during the tournament and scored tries at vital moments, including in the final against England, often foxing defenders with his gliding, weaving runs and deceptive pace.

Human, who played for the Kings a few seasons ago, was honoured with the Player of the Final Award.

“We were graced here today,” said Powell after his team’s achievement, one that was only secured in the last match of the final day of the final tournament of the eight-month long, 10-leg World Series.

“You have to feel for Fiji, who won five tournaments, only to come up short by two points in the end, but this is also a massive reward to our Springbok Sevens and SA Rugby Sevens Academy system,” Powell said. “There are so many people working so hard for this team and the squad here rewarded all of them.”

Powell paid tribute to the 28 players used, management and all the support structures in South Africa: “We do this for more than ourselves. The support from back home is incredible and we find support all over the world. We want to thank all.

“This is a massive credit to our system and we are all very proud to be part of it.”

The BlitzBoks defied the odds to edge out Fiji for the Series title. The Pacific Islanders seemed to have the title sewn up going into the Paris Sevens given that they had a seven-point cushion over the defending champions from South Africa.

But Fiji let it slip in the first quarter-final on Sunday when they lost to eventual Paris silver medallists England, meaning the best they could do was finish fifth in that tournament.

The Blitzboks qualified for each of the 10 semi-finals during the series. They won in Dubai and Paris, and were runners up in Sydney, Hamilton and London. They won bronze in Cape Town, Vancouver and Hong Kong and placed fourth in Las Vegas and Singapore.

Final standings 1. South Africa – 182 poin ts 2. Fiji – 180 3. New Zealand – 150 4. Australia – 123 5. England – 122