Blitzboks crowned kings of Los Angeles
The Springbok Sevens team saved their best for last to win the final tournament of the season, the HSBC SVNS World Championship in Los Angeles, with a 19-5 victory over Spain in the final wrapping up a flawless weekend in California early on Monday morning (SA time).
The Blitzboks were determined on defence and clinical on attack against a plucky Spain to win their second title of the 2025 season, after raising the trophy in Cape Town in December 2024.
They managed to keep Spain away from their tryline with solid defence and when in possession, struck when it mattered, and even managed to score when down to six men following a late yellow card to Zander Reynders.
The performance in the final wrapped up a magnificent effort at the tournament, where the Blitzboks had no peers and hard as Spain tried, they had no answers to unlock the determination of their opponents to not let them get past them.
After four minutes of defence, South Africa struck when Selvyn Davids, who was named Player of the Final, stepped past the Spanish defence for a brilliant solo try.
A long spell of possession by Spain was left in ruins as – from a rare moment with ball in hand at that stage – Davids attacked from a scrum 80m out and ran almost the length of the field. Ronald Brown converted for a 7-0 lead, which was the half-time score as well.
Relentless defence forced Spain into mistakes and they battled to get into the South African half bar their early attack in the opening spell.
The second half had more of the same. Spain had most of the ball and attacked from all corners, but stout defence forced them backwards and into mistakes.
They were finally rewarded when Quewin Nortje was beaten by a delayed pass and Pol Pla scored from 50m out. Davids cut the Spanish speedster off, forced him to score out wide, and the conversion missed, keeping South Africa in the lead.
The turning point came soon after when Mfundo Ndhlovu, who last played in Cape Town in December, outfoxed a rushing defence and then raced away from inside the SA 22 to score. Brown converted and at 14-5 and two minutes to play, the advantage was with the Blitzboks.
Reynders caused some heartache was he was yellow carded from the restart, leaving the team one man short for the remainder of the match, but that didn't matter. Siviwe Soyizwapi showed his experience with a crucial turnover, with his team under pressure and a man down, which handed possession back to SA.
Ricardo Duarttee sealed the deal after close combat with the Spanish and a probing Tristan Leyds run found some gaps and momentum from where Duarttee pounced.
Blitzbok coach Philip Snyman praised the players afterwards, saying that their willingness to keep working made the win possible.
Earlier, the Blitzboks kept their hot streak going following pool wins against France, Great Britain and Argentina, outscoring New Zealand by four tries to one and never giving the Kiwi side a look-in at all with a 26-5 win in their semi-final.
Shilton van Wyk opened the scoring in the first minute, pouncing on a loose pass from New Zealand after a lineout, kicking ahead and winning the race to the line. Ronald Brown converted for a 7-0 lead.
The second try by South Africa was more structured but still a thing of beauty.
Selvyn Davids delayed his pass from a tap penalty and Nortje could race in to score under the sticks. Brown converted and the lead was 14-0 after four minutes of play.
The rampant Blitzboks scored a third try before the half-time buzzer when some crisp passing and hard running gave Van Wyk a second try in the opening seven minutes. Brown, whose pass freed up Van Wyk, converted from the sideline for a 21-0 lead.
The second half start was equally impressive. Brown's spot-on cross-kick found Nortje in the corner for his second try, despite having his shirt ripped in two, to push the lead to 26-0.
New Zealand finally managed a play of note three minutes into the second half with a good move from within their half to score, but it was too little too late.
South Africa 26 (21) New Zealand 5 (0)
SA – Tries: Shilton van Wyk (2), Quewin Nortje (2). Conversions: Ronald Brown (3)
New Zealand – Try: Frank Vaenuku
South Africa 19 (7) Spain 5 (0)
SA – Tries: Selvyn Davids, Mfundo Ndhlovu, Ricardo Duarttee. Conversions: Ronald Brown, Tristan Leyds
Spain – Try: Pol Pla Post your congratulations for the Blitzboks below, by …
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