Springbok Sevens ‘A' side ends Rugby Africa Sevens pool stage on high after slow start
Ricardo Duarttee brought loads of experience and his trademark trickery to the Springbok Sevens 'A' side in Mauritius at the weekend.
Image: Shaun Roy/BackpagePix
The Springbok Sevens 'A' side slowly warmed to their task in the pool stage of the Rugby Africa Sevens at the Labourdonnais Sports Club in Mauritius on Saturday, with victories over Nigeria, Zambia and Burkina Faso.
The South Africans began the tournament with a 17-5 victory over Nigeria's Black Stallions in a scrappy, error-strewn opening match where they struggled to find their rhythm or assert themselves on their opponents.
It took one moment of brilliance – a dummy pass from the energetic Ricardo Duarttee, or 'Tricky Ricky' – to send Joel Leotlela over in the right-hand corner for the only score of the first half.
Flyer Sebastiaan Jobb had an almost immediate impact off the bench in the second stanza, his converted try after 11 minutes stretching SA's lead to 12-0.
Personal goals and team objectives will need to combine if South Africa want positive results at the Rugby Africa Sevens in Mauritius this weekend - more here: https://t.co/mVpyjZrJVf 👊#PoweredByUnity #Blitzboks pic.twitter.com/biUeazmoQZ — Springbok Sevens (@Blitzboks) June 20, 2025
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Next
Stay
Close ✕
Ad loading
The Nigerians hit back two minutes later to reduce the lead to 12-5. It was no more than their endeavour deserved, even if they were guilty of schoolboy handling errors at times.
Masande Mtshali had the final say for the Springbok Sevens 'A' side. He dotted down in the right-hand corner after some good inter-passing as the favourites seemed to have finally woken from their slumber.
There would be no further additions to the scoreline but Philip Snyman's charges will have been left with plenty to ponder going into the second match of the tournament.
The South Africans started the second pool match against Zambia far better than the first, a foot in touch denying Grant de Jager the early score. But a few minutes later, they made the most of turnover ball on the Zambian tryline for Joubert Schoeman to score.
The Zambians levelled the score at 7-7. But their joy was short-lived, after Schoeman rose high and collected the ball off the kick-off to canter over the whitewash.
The game seemed headed for a thrilling second half after Zambia fought back to draw level again before half-time (14-14).
However, the class of the South Africans finally told. Mfundo Ndhlovu showed great strength, shrugging off tackles and powering over the line as the Springbok Sevens 'A' side eventually ran out 33-14 winners.
Mfundo Ndhlovu showed off all his skills for the Springbok Sevens 'A' side on the opening day of the Rugby Africa Sevens in Mauritius.
Image: Henk Kruger/Independent Newspapers
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
3 hours ago
- The South African
South Africans say YES to DStv sports packages
South Africans are fully supporting Multichoice's contemplation of offering a sports-only package for DStv subscribers. The satellite television company is also toying with the idea of unbundling SuperSport from its pay-TV platform. In recent months, the company has taken a massive knock in revenue loss after losing hundreds of thousands in subscriptions. According to social media users, this follows the company's tone-deaf approach to affordability, diversity, and demands. Earlier this month, Multichoice Group CEO Calvo Mawela stated that the company would investigate whether unbundling SuperSport from DStv and launching a sports-only package would be a feasible option for its business model. He said at the time: 'We've accelerated that project in terms of getting us to finalise which direction we're going to take in this financial year. But yes, we are considering all options as part of a broader product offering going forward'. The investigation will conclude at the end of the current financial year-end in March 2026. Broadcaster Gareth Cliff polled his followers to see if they would support the move to a sports-only tailored DStv package or simply a SuperSport option. An overwhelming 94% of voters responded positively. Here's what a few had to say… @renierferreira: 'PAY PER CHANNEL ONLY! People don't want DStv 'bundles'. I'll pay R99 pm just for SuperSport 1 on ONE device.' @WTFSA13: 'R350 for all sports channels, and I am in' @SwartNatalie: 'Yes, then we can actually afford to watch sport again!' Currently, the SuperSport group of channels is offered on DStv's Premium package – it's most expensive – which currently costs R949. For many sports enthusiasts, 'off season' means pausing their subscriptions or cancelling them altogether. In multiple financial reports, Multichoice has acknowledged that the rising cost of living meant that 'households are struggling to make ends meet and many had no choice but to give up their DStv subscription for the time being.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
4 hours ago
- The South African
'Mistakes happen': Ronwen gets love, rage from Sundowns fans
Ronwen Williams' performance in the Mamelodi Sundowns vs Borussia Dortmund Fifa Club World Cup has left many South Africans hot and bothered. The Masandawana goalkeeper and captain became a trending topic on the X platform after the South African club lost 3-4 to the German club. Sundowns is the only SA club to compete at the tournament. On Saturday, 21 June, Sundowns faced off against Dortmund in their second group stage match. The final whistle blew at 3-4 in Dortmund's favour. On social media, many South African soccer fans blamed Sundowns captain Ronwen Williams for being behind a series of errors which they believe cost the club a victory. One was his accidental passing to Dortmund striker Felix Nmecha, who used the opportunity to score a goal. On the X, some fans like DJ Mo Flava supported Ronwen, adding that 'mistakes happen'. When Sports channel ESPN Africa posed the question to its followers: 'Keep or drop Ronwen Williams?', many agreed with the DJ. @phungula_BC: 'Definitely keep. All ball-playing keepers are bound to make mistakes from time to time, Ronwen is no exception'. @LondzMkhumbuzi: 'It happens to everyone, top goalkeepers bounce back stronger.' Others weren't so forgiving of the Sundowns captain. @VictorVeeM: 'When we said don't compare him to [Itumeleng] Khune, they told us that we don't know football'. @KingBaloyii: 'He has reached the expiry date'. Sundowns are set for a make-or-break match against Brazil's Fluminense on Tuesday, 24 June, in their final Fifa Club World Cup group stage match. The SA club currently ranks third in Group F, under Dortmund and Fluminense. A victory would secure them a spot in the Round of 16, regardless of Dortmund's result against South Korea's Ulsan, who have yet to score in the tournament. In the case of a draw, SA could only advance if Ulsan beat the German team by a long shot. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
9 hours ago
- IOL News
Springbok Sevens ‘A' side crowned champions at Rugby Africa tournament
Sebastiaan Jobb (with ball) helped lead the Springbok Sevens 'A' squad to glory at the Rugby Africa Sevens tournament in Mauritius at the weekend. The Springbok Sevens 'A' side beat Madagascar 26-12 in the final of the Rugby Africa Sevens at the Labourdonnais Sports Club in Mauritius on Sunday afternoon to be crowned continental kings. The South Africans had enjoyed a tentative start to the tournament, with pool victories over Nigeria, Zambia and Burkina Faso on Saturday's first day. But they grew into the competition with every passing match, also accounting for last year's bogey team, Uganda on Sunday morning. They booked their place in Sunday's decider with a hard-fought 19-12 win over Zimbabwe's Cheetahs in the first semi-final, courtesy of tries from co-captains Mfundo Ndhlovu and Sebastiaan Jobb. That match was an extremely physical encounter that descended into an arm wrestle in the second half but the Springbok Sevens 'A' side – a blend of youth and experience – held their nerve, to prevail. The exciting Madagascar side had beaten Kenya in their semi-final to book their place in the decider. Ndhlovu had been a potent attacking weapon for the South Africans over the weekend, and was arguably the player of the tournament for Phillip Snyman's side. His class again shone through in the final, as did Jobb's and Ricardo Duartee's, with 'Tricky Ricky' often living up to his name in igniting South African attacks and dictating play.
