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AlgoaFM sports editor Neil Bisseker was at the Nelson Mandela Bay stadium today - this is how he saw the business end of the Cell C Nelson Mandela bay Sevens:
South Africa vs New Zealand: Cup semi final NZ12 SA 5
This was the big test of the weekend for the Blitzbokke after beating the USA 17-7 in the quarter finals at lunch time. New Zealand made the semi finals with a 35-5 rout of Wales. A magnificent opening try by South Africa by Paul Delport in the corner after great vision by his captain Frankie Horn who delayed the try-scoring pass to perfection after five minutes. South Africa very lucky to have a try by New Zealand ruled a knock-on after the hooter and found themselves leading 5-0 at the break.
New Zealand deservedly equalise through number 11 Kurt Baker two and a half minutes into the second half and the conversion was MISSED – all to play for at 5-all with 5 minutes to play. A magnificent counter ruck by the All Blacks with a minute on the clock as South Africa struggled to get out of their own half. Ben Lam scores in the corner and the conversion puts New Zealand 12-5 ahead and that’s how it stays. South Africa played their hearts out but the All Blacks into the final and one win away from defending their SA Sevens title for a fourth time in a row!
The other Cup semi-final was between France and dark horse Argentina who upset Fiji 15-12 in the quarter-finals. Argentina led 7-0 at half time. France did very well to work the ball up field and score under the posts after the final hooter to level matters at 7-7. The second Cup semi-final would now be decided in 5 minutes of extra time. No-one seemed to want this one and both teams missed clear scoring opportunities in extra time. Argentina won a penalty at the final hooter and it hit the upright for France to stay alive – just. ANOTHER 5 minutes of extra time would be played and both teams looked out on their feet. France had the experience in the end and came through with a drop goal to win 10-7 and book a final berth against New Zealand. South Africa will play Argentina for third and fourth place.
In the playoff for third place between South Africa and Argentina, Cheslin Kolbe got South Africa on the board early with a great run from half way and scored under the posts. A minute later he scored an almost identical try and the Blitzbokke were up 14-0 after just four minutes. Philip Snyman smashes through on half time and the try is converted. The Blitzbokke lead 21-0 at half time in the playoff for third place.
Cheslin Kolbe grabbed his hattrick a minute after the restart and South Africa’s lead was out to 28 points with the conversion. Cornal Hendricks then bamboozled the defence when he got off the ground inside his own ten yard line and ran a good 55 metres to dot under the posts. Five tries now and South Africa cruising at 35-nil up. Argentina spent after their semi-final loss to France in second period of extra time. That’s how it stays – soured by ugly punch up after the final hooter but South Africa end up with 3rd place with a 35-nil win over Argentina.
Before the final between France and New Zealand, the draw is announced for the next event on the IRB Sevens circuit in Wellington in early February - South Africa are drawn in pool C with Samoa, Canada and Wales. Looks like a pretty good draw!
Right, onto the final between New Zealand and France in Port Elizabeth, the All Blacks looking to make it four SA titles in a row. They duly draw first blood with Kurt Baker scoring under the poles after 2 minutes of the final which is 10 minutes a half and not the usual seven. Vincent Deniau with a touch of brilliance with the through-kick and follow-up levels matters a minute later at 7-all. Ben Lam then shakes off several tired French tackles to dot under the posts and New Zealand are 14-7 up after 7 minutes of the final. A killer blow by New Zealand at the hooter when France looked like scoring. They pounce on the loose ball literally on their own try line and end up scoring under the posts at the other end through Kurt Baker. Nearly home-free, NZ lead France 21-7 at half time
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New Zealand score again in first minute of second half through Sam Dickson and their lead is now 28-7. Then its the turn of Tim Mikkelson for New Zealand – one way traffic predictably and the score out to 35-7 with 6 minutes still to play. Kurt Baker adds the All Blacks’ 6th try with three minutes left on the clock and the lead is now a massive 42-7. Then it was try number 7 by one of the replacements Milford Keresoma. New Zealand feeling generous and miss the conversion to lead 47-7. A consolation try by French no. 8 Jonathan Laugel and that’s how it finishes 47-12 to New Zealand. Well done champs – for ANOTHER year!
