SPORTMATTERS • RACING • SOCCER • GOLF • CRICKET RAMPANT BLITZBOKS OUTPLAY FIJI IN FINAL
Dolphins eye play-off spot in Kingsmead double-header
THE Springbok Sevens side not only made up for their ‘ disappointing’ bronze- medal finish at the Rio Olympics, but also brought much-needed positivity to South African rugby with an exhilarating 26-14 triumph over Fiji in the final of the Dubai leg of the World Sevens Series.
It was a pulsating final and the BlitzBoks wasted no time as they got points on the scoresheet seconds after the whistle had gone.
South Africa were knocked out at the quarter-final of last year’s Dubai tournament, but not even the Fijians could match the tenacity shown by Philip Snyman’s men yesterday. Apart from taking their chances on attack, their defence stood strong to deny the Fijians room to manoeuvre with ball-in-hand.
The South Africans led 14-7 at the break, and it wasn’t only the first time that a final had been contested over seven-minute halves instead of 10, but it was also the first time the Fijians had been outplayed to such an extent.
Neil Powell’s men kept Fiji pinned in their own half after two early tries by Cecil Afrika and Branco du Preez, but the Pacific islanders fought back when skipper Osea Kolinisau went over before half-time.
In the second half, the Olympic champions levelled the score (14-all) after the restart when Jerry Tuwai pounced on a loose ball to score under the posts. The BlitzBoks regained the lead when man-of-thematch Chris Dry went over in the corner, and despite pressure by Fiji, the South Africans kept it together and closed the deal when Senatla chased down THE Dolphins are at crunch time, and today’s proceedings at Kingsmead will go a long way towards sorting the men from the boys in the T20 Challenge.
It is a double-header in Durban, and by the time the Dolphins take the field, they will know what they have to do to stay in touch with the race for the play-off slots. The Durbanites are hosting the Cobras this afternoon, after the Lions and the Warriors meet in the morning.
The Warriors, the form side in the competition, are coming off a sensational sixwicket triumph over the Titans at Centurion on Friday night, a chip by Rosko Specman to score his 11th try of the tournament, and show why he was worthy of the Player of the Tournament award.
“Hats off to Fiji, they’re a quality side, and I think today the ball just bounced in our favour,” Snyman said.
“Starting well. That’s what they normally do to us and then they control the game. That’s what we wanted to do, to control the intensity. We scored a couple of early tries and got the points on the board, and we never felt that we were behind. So we didn’t chase the game and I think they started to chase the game at one point, which worked in our favour.”
The BlitzBoks’ semi-final match against Wales was less intense, as they swept aside the Welsh 36-5 to book their final against Fiji.
Springbok Sevens go-to man Senatla scored a hat-trick to take his tournament tally to 10 tries in that match, while Werner Kok and Justin Geduld (two) also got five-pointers on the board.
But it was during the quarter-finals that the Blitzboks showed just how settled they are as a team.
They produced, arguably, their best performance under Neil Powell when they thrashed New Zealand 40-0 to comfortably book a semi-final spot against Wales.
The BlitzBoks scored three tries in the first half and led 19-0 at the break.
The wheels came off for New Zealand when the BlitzBoks ran in three more five-pointers. South Africa dominated at the breakdowns and the Kiwis had no answer to Powell’s men’s speed on the ground.
The gold victory should give the BlitzBoks massive confidence to take into next week’s Cape Town event. which would have sounded a warning shot across the country. Having endured a tough 2015/16 campaign, Malibongwe Maketa’s team have had a massive change of fortunes.
At the beginning of the season, he spoke of a fresh energy, one sparked by several of his players getting married, engaged or becoming expectant fathers. Thus, there was a greater urgency, a sense of responsibility for more than just themselves and their cricketing fortunes.
And so, with that in mind, the Warriors have become a different beast in the field, one unafraid of form. Thus, they went to the Titans and bullied the defending champions in their own backyard, and
Morné van Wyk (captain), Cody Chetty, Cameron Delport, Rabian Engelbrecht, Robbie Frylinck, Mbasa Gqadushe, Keshav Maharaj, Kyle Nipper, Kevin Pietersen, Calvin Savage, Mthokozisi Shezi, Prenelan Subrayen, Imran Tahir, Khaya Zondo walked away with a six-wicket triumph.
For those who didn’t know, the Warriors have ambitions of snatching this trophy, and they don’t care who stands in their way. In Jon-Jon Smuts, they have a leader amongst men, and one who is clubbing the ball with brutal efficiency.
They also have Andrew Birch in fine form with the leather, and a fielding unit that
(Likely) Rassie van der Dussen , Reeza Hendricks, Omphile Ramela, Mangaliso Mosehle, Nicky van den Bergh, Dwaine Pretorius, Matt McGillivray, Hardus Viljoen, Bjorn Fortuin, Eddie Leie, Aaron Phangiso (captain) is effervescent in its mission. The Lions, still prone to the odd stumble, will find the going tough in the morning, but skipper Aaron Phangiso and his team know that they have to step up.
The return of several Proteas will make today’s action even more intriguing, and the Dolphins will happily welcome back Keshav Maharaj.
With bat, ball and in the field, the new Proteas Test cap is a key part of the Durban franchise, and he is chomping at the bit to take on the Cobras.
The Dolphins batting card is yet to truly fire, but groundsman Wilson Ngobese has promised a deck full of runs. Kevin Pietersen looked ready to click into gear on Wednesday, but he went too big, too soon and fell for 5.
If he fires, as he is still prone to do, the Cobras may not be able to live with the Dolphins, especially if Cameron Delport continues with his ridiculous purple patch with bat and ball.
He leads the wickets column for the KZN outfit, and is not too far behind Morne van Wyk in the run stakes. The Dolphins will be happy to see that run go on long into the summer.
For those of you who love a flutter, go down to Kingsmead early, and back yourself to get your hand on one of the sixes that will surely fly all over Kingsmead today.
There is a pot of R1 million to be shared and, so far, there are four names in the pot.
That is just one of many reasons to be at Kingsmead from breakfast today.
Aside from the million bucks, there are also four quality sides, all chasing a place in the business end of the T20 Challenge. Do yourself a favour. Play at Kingsmead starts at 10.30 this morning, with all action broadcast on Supersport from 10am.