Special day for SA rugby as Blitzboks crowned champs

THE Springbok Sevens were crowned HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series champions in London last night.

This came as the series concluded with the final and 10th tournament of the World Series, the London Sevens, played at Twickenham Stadium.

Scotland beat England 12-7 in the final, but it remained a special day for South African rugby.

The Springbok Sevens team earlier won the fifth place final against Australia to end the season with a win, but it was their solid performances throughout the year that brought them glory.

The squad reached all 10 cup quarterfinals, losing only two, and won all eight semifinals they were involved in.

They also won five of the eight finals contested, winning the tournaments in Dubai, Wellington, Sydney, Las Vegas and Paris.

This was only the second time that the Blitzboks were crowned overall champions, after they also won the 2008-09 series.

Captain Philip Snyman dedicated the win to South Africa and all Blitzboks fans, saying the support throughout the season had given them much-needed inspiration.

“We are proudly South Africans today and very proud champions. This one is for the country and for all our fans, especially those who watched us or listened to us play either late at night or early in the morning, when we were playing all over the world,” he said.

“We received massive support, even when things did not go as planned. This was a huge effort and I am a very proud South African and Springbok Sevens player tonight.”

For Snyman, it felt like yesterday when they started the season in Dubai.

“It is hard to believe it is the end of the season already. It was a great season for us. To play in eight finals and win five is something we are very proud of.”

Snyman also thanked the management and other squad members not in London.

“They kept us on the field and fit, and that was no easy job. Lots of thanks also to our sponsors, Steinhoff International and Asics, and all the others who helped us perform.”