In a tournament filled with highs and lows, the Springbok Sevens team concluded their HSBC SVNS Los Angeles campaign on a positive note, securing an 11th-place finish out of 12 teams at the Dignity Health Sports Park.
Facing off against Canada in their final match, the South Africans delivered a convincing performance, outplaying their opponents with a scoreline of 28-15.
From the onset, the Blitzboks displayed their intent to end the tournament on a high note. Within the opening minute of the match, Zain Davids crossed the try line, setting the tone for what would be a dominant display by the South African side.
Shortly after, Ryan Oosthuizen added to the scoreboard, further solidifying the Blitzboks’ lead. With a commanding 14-0 advantage at halftime, South Africa appeared in full control of proceedings.
As the second half commenced, Davids continued to showcase his attacking prowess, scoring his second try of the match and extending the Blitzboks’ lead to 21-0.
Despite the deficit, Canada managed to find their footing, notching their first try of the encounter. However, any hopes of a comeback were swiftly dashed when Tristan Leyds responded with a try of his own for South Africa.
Although Canada managed to add two more tries to their tally, the Blitzboks maintained their composure and held on to secure a well-deserved victory.
Despite the late onslaught from their opponents, South Africa’s early dominance proved to be insurmountable, allowing them to clinch victory and end their Los Angeles Sevens campaign on a positive note.
Reflecting on the tournament as a whole, the Springbok Sevens team experienced a rollercoaster of emotions throughout their journey in Los Angeles.
Despite facing challenges and setbacks along the way, the team showcased resilience and determination, exemplifying the fighting spirit synonymous with South African rugby.
While the 11th-place finish may not have been the desired outcome for the Blitzboks, the experience gained from competing against some of the world’s best teams will undoubtedly serve as valuable lessons moving forward.
With their sights set on future tournaments, including the upcoming HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series events, the South African squad remains determined to continue striving for success on the international stage.
As the Los Angeles Sevens ends, the Springbok Sevens team will regroup and shift their focus towards their next challenge.
With a renewed sense of determination and a commitment to improvement, South Africa looks ahead to future opportunities to showcase their talent and compete amongst the elite in world rugby sevens.
As the dust settles on the Dignity Health Sports Park, South Africa’s 11th-place finish serves as a reminder of the fierce competition and unforgiving nature of sevens rugby.
Despite the challenges encountered, the Blitzboks remain undeterred in their pursuit of excellence, ready to rise to the occasion and represent their nation with pride in future tournaments on the global stage.
