NZ break SA hearts
by Brenden Nel 10 December 2011, 20:40
New Zealand produced a try on fulltime to break South African hearts and win an epic Nelson Mandela Bay Sevens final 31-26 in Port Elizabeth on Saturday night.
A final-minute try by Tomasi Cama, who looked strangely in front of a kick downfield that downed the Blitzbokke defence, gave his team their fourth Sevens title in South Africa in five years and continued their domination of the tournament.
But it was a sad way for the Blitzbokke to bow out of their own tournament, as they had played such good rugby and came so close to achieving their dream of winning their home tournament in front of 30 000 passionate fans.
The lead changed hands five times as New Zealand became the third different winner in as many tournaments in the HSBC World Series.
The team did have its chances though and a few small mistakes were all the difference as they led by nine points at one stage and allowed New Zealand back into the game.
While the Blitzbokke started well, they were behind when a turnover ball was punished by Cama, who scored at the other end of the field against the run of play.
But the purpose and drive was there, as Bernardo Botha wormed his way onto the scoresheet to even matters up. New Zealand grabbed the advantage when Boom Prinsloo was yellow-carded and Cama added a second.
Botha added a second shortly afterwards and the Bok were hit by a 14-point turnaround as Steven Hunt knocked on going over the line and the recycled ball saw Frank Halai run an 80-metre try downfield to put New Zealand ahead at half time.
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In the second half the Blitzbokke struck back, first through Hunt in the corner and then through Cecil Afrika who found a perfect gap through the defence to put them nine points up.
But again a mistake – a collision in midfield between Afrika and Cornal Hendricks knocked the ball forward, and it was turned into a 60m try for Halai to bring them within two points.
Then inexplicably, the Blitzbokke started to kick the ball downfield and it eventually led to the turnover kicked downfield, without a Blitzbok in sight.
A sad end to the night, but the team are at least third, just three points behind New Zealand and Fiji on the overall standings with six tournaments to play.
SCORERS
South Africa – Tries: Bernardo Botha (2), Steven Hunt, Cecil Afrika. Conversions: Branco du Preez (3)
New Zealand – Tries: DJ Forbes, Tomasi Cama (2), Frank Halai (2). Conversions: Cama (3).