Cape Town - "No DNA, just RSA!"
Cape Town is set to wake up with a major hangover this morning after the Blitzboks ended a nine-year drought to win the HSBC SVNS home leg at a rocking DHL Stadium last night.
The Blitzboks have lost two finals since against England (2016) and New Zealand (2019), but Zain Davids’ team made amends last night by running in four tries to beat France 26-14 in a pulsating final. It helped avenge the Boks’ Olympic Sevens semi-final defeat to France at the Stade de Francais in Paris earlier this year.
Springbok captain Siya Kolisi and his children were also among the 75 000 partisan spectators that had streamed through the gates over the two days. Kolisi was particularly excited during the final as he cheered the Blitzboks to glory.
The Blitzboks had beaten Ireland and Argentina on the opening day to progress to yesterday’s lunchtime semi-final against Spain. Despite trailing 12-0 at half-time, the home team showed great courage, determination and skill to hit back with three tries in the second half to emerge 19-12 victors over the Spanish.
They took this momentum into the final and once again showed off their fighting spirit to come back despite conceding an early French try. Davids, who is a true blue Capetonian from Grassy Park on the Cape Flats, was instrumental in both play-off victories.
The co-skipper scored the first try in the semi-final to begin the fightback and powered his way past two defenders in the final for another five-pointer. Donavan Don, Shilton van Wyk and David Brits also crossed the tryline for the Blitzboks with Ricardo Duartee adding three conversions in the final. Davids paid tribute to the squad’s character and work ethic.
“We really wanted this. We worked hard on it all week. We came out and made a statement and the guys showed a lot of heart out there,” Davids said. “We played for each other. We can be very happy and celebrate this one for a while.”
Blitzbok coach Philip Snyman was part of the last Blitzboks team to lift the trophy in Cape Town almost a decade ago.
“Coach Philip is amazing, he’s a hard worker,” Davids said. “The guys really trust him. He believes in us. So, I think if we believe in each other, we’ll go far.”
The Blitzboks lost experienced winger Siviwe Soyizwapi to a yellow card in the dying minutes of the final, but hung on thanks to the spine-chilling support from the home supporters willing them on till the final whistle.
Davids believed the support inside Cape Town Stadium was the point of difference for the Blitzboks.
“South Africans always show gees!” he said. “And they really came out to support us this weekend. Thank you very much Cape Town!”