Blitzboks beaten in Vancouver Sevens final

The Springbok Sevens finished second at the HSBC SVNS Vancouver at BC Place on Monday morning (SA time) after being edged 19-12 by Argentina in the final of a tournament that delivered some nail-biting, but positive results for the Blitzboks.

For the latest rugby news, bookmark The South African website’s dedicated section for free-to-read content

Earlier, they scored a dramatic 12-10 victory over Fiji in the semi-finals on Sunday evening (SA time) after scoring the winning points in the final play of the match.

Two tournaments remaining

The Blitzboks have now finished fifth in Dubai, won in Cape Town, placed fourth in Perth and taken silver in Vancouver, which leave them six points shy of log leaders, Argentina.

The South Americans (68 points), Spain (64 points), South Africa and Fiji (both on 62 points) are moving clear from the rest of the pack, with a gap opening between the top four and France (46 points), Australia and New Zealand (38 points) after four tournaments played.

Hong Kong and Singapore are the two remaining tournaments left in the regular season, before the Grand Finale in Los Angeles.

The Pumas laid the foundation of their victory in the final before the break, scoring the only two tries of the half. South Africa were penalised a couple of times at the breakdown and could not get any momentum, while Argentina were more clinical when in possession and they deserved their 12-0 lead.

When Argentina scored in the opening play from the second half restart to take a 19-0 lead, things looked dire for the men in green and gold. But the Blitzboks’ fighting spirit was not a highlight of their tournament for nothing.

A brilliant solo run by Quewin Nortje got them on the board and going. Nortje beat two defenders on an 80m run to score. When Siviwe Soyizwapi scored his 154th career try from a move he initiated with a great break 10 minutes in, the Blitzboks were just a score away from levelling matters.

They had some opportunities, but credit to the 2025 Vancouver champions who held them out for a well-earned win.

The Blitzboks’ semi-final win over Fiji was one of the most dramatic of the tournament, in a match that can only be described as frantic.

A red card to Sebastiaan Jobb after only four minutes reduced the South Africans to six players for the remainder of the match. Jobb was sent off for making head contact in a tackle in a move that saw Fijian winger Joji Nasova scoring at the other end of the field.

Fiji held that 5-0 lead into the second half, but could not benefit from their extra number, as the Blitzboks worked very hard to keep their defensive line intact.

In fact, it was South Africa who scored next, with Shilton van Wyk finishing off some good work on his inside by Selvyn Davids. The try levelled the scores with five minutes to play.

It seemed that Fiji booked their spot to the final with a try by Jeremaia Matana in the 12th minute, but the Blitzboks were not done yet.

An attack that started deep in their own half, finished with a Donavan Don try under the Fijian posts, with Selvyn Davids instrumental in putting Don in space. Tristan Leyds, who instigated the attack with a kick ahead, converted after the buzzer for the dramatic win.

SCORERS

Final: South Africa 12-19 Argentina
South Africa – Tries: Quewin Nortje, Siviwe Soyizwapi. Conversion: Selvyn Davids
Argentina – Tries: Luciano Gonzalez (2), Tobias Wade. Conversions: Joaquin Pellandini (2)

Semi-final: South Africa 12-10 Fiji
South Africa – Tries: Shilton van Wyk, Donavan Don. Conversion: Tristan Leyds
Fiji – Tries: Joji Nasova, Jeremaia Matana

Standings after four tournaments:
1. Argentina – 68 points
2. Spain – 64
3. Fiji – 62
4. South Africa – 62
5. France – 46
6. Australia – 38
7. New Zealand – 38
8. Great Britain – 32

Do you prefer watching Sevens or the 15-man code?

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.