Hong Kong Glory For Blitzboks As African Rivals Face Mixed Results at SVNS World Championship
Hong Kong has now become a landmark venue for South Africa, marking a new high as they secure their first tournament win there since 1999.
HONG KONG, China – South Africa’s men’s team made an ideal start to their World Rugby Sevens Series World Championship title defence by winning the first of three legs in Hong Kong this weekend, with a 35–7 victory over Argentina in Sunday’s final.
Before this, Hong Kong had not been a favourable hunting ground for the South Africans, who had not won a tournament there since the sevens circuit was launched in 1999.
“I’m almost speechless,” South Africa coach Philip Snyman said on Sunday.
“There is a massive feeling of pride and gratitude at this moment. We waited so long for this, and I am happy we finally did it. I am also very happy for us as a group, not only those here tonight, but also those back home who worked just as hard to make it possible.”
South Africa, who clinched the elite SVNS Series in March, are now looking to complete a stellar season by retaining their World Championship title.
The Blitzboks won the inaugural World Championship title in sevens rugby last season, underpinning a dominant period for South African rugby overall, which also extends to the 15-a-side format. However, in the sevens version this season, the Blitzboks still have two legs remaining in their quest to rule the world again: in Valladolid, Spain, from 29 to 31 May, and in Bordeaux, France, from 5 to 7 June.
Blitzbok coach Snyman is eagerly looking ahead to the final two legs: “We will just relax, enjoy and celebrate tonight. We know the job is not done, but 50 years was a long time to wait for this.”
(The 50-year reference relates to the long history of international sevens tournaments, rather than a continuous title drought.)
Meanwhile, while the South African men were ruling the roost in Hong Kong, their female counterparts did not fare as well.
The Springbok Women’s Sevens suffered their third defeat in a row in the tournament, losing 25–10 to Argentina to finish bottom of the women’s standings.
Under Cecil Afrika, the team did record one win against Great Britain in the early stages, but lost to the same opponents later in the ninth-place final.
“The win over Great Britain on Saturday was massive for us because they had core status this year and we did not,” said Afrika.
“It proved to us that we can play at that level and win, but only if we use our opportunities. When we played them again on the same day and did not do that, we paid the price. That was a good lesson to learn, and we will be better for it.”
Meanwhile, Kenya national rugby sevens team finished a commendable seventh, following a workmanlike 21–7 win over France in their final match of the Hong Kong leg.
With two legs to go, Kenya coach Kevin Wambua believes his team remains in contention.
“We know we have to step up in terms of our non-negotiables, both individually and collectively,” said Wambua.
“We need to go a notch higher because where we are going, it’s not going to be easy. But we have the talent, we’ve done it before, and I’m pretty sure we can do it again.”
Written by Enock Muchinjo
