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Amazing comeback sees Blitzboks topple Fiji to win in Singapore
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In what has to be the final of the HSBC World Sevens Series this season, the Blitzboks looked dead and buried at 19-0 down with Fiji in exceptional form and only seven minutes to play.
But slowly something started to change. A momentum shift of massive proportions. A inspirational cameo by not one, but two young stars that have injected so much life into this team. Angelo Davids and Kurt-Lee Arendse, both young players who have yet to learn the word fear appeared on the field, and inspired their teammates to greater heights.
The opening half the Blitzboks were simply nowhere, as Stedman Gans was exposed twice on defence for tries and Fiji took full advantage of their form to run in a third before the break.
First it was Aminiasi Tuimaba who ghosted past Gans to score the opener before Napolioni Bolaca twisted his way out of a tackle to run down the sideline to score.
Vilimonoi Botitu made it three with a hard running surge that carried defenders over the line.
And at 19-0 it certainly looked all over bar the shouting.
But the Blitzboks team are known for many things, but their heart is never the least among them.
In a team that has been fighting to cover the losses of players to fifteens all season, something inside ignited for them.
It was a changed team that took the field in the second half, a side that looked more focused in defence, more in tune with the referees interpretations, and more charged up to take the Fijians on despite the scoreline.
It was Arendse who fuelled the fire even more, taking his one chance to score and making sure of the touchdown to put the Blitzboks on the board.
The Fijians looked bemused, a little rattled, but it got even worse for them when Justin Geduld put a perfect kick-pass into the hands of young Angelo Davids, who did what he was always meant to do and dotted down in style.
In the scoring of the try, Tuimaba tackled Davids without the ball and put Fiji’s lead into question as he was sent to the sin bin for two minutes.
The Blitzboks upped the ante, keeping possession until there was an opening, and Ryan Oosthuizen didn’t make mistake as he swept in to take the Blitzboks to just two points behind the Fijians.
The Blitzboks attacked again and Davids was forced out in the corner, but while it looked as if Fiji had almost snatched it back with a cover tackle, a penalty for off-sides gave the perfect opportunity.
A drop goal, a rarity in the format of the game, but the perfect weapon for a team two points behind made perfect sense.
Selvyn Davids made no mistake with the kick and suddenly, the Blitzboks were leading by a point.
It was gobsmacking, unbelievable, but the tension could be felt as the Blitzboks had to take a restart, which Fiji won.
But with the defence holding out, the Fijians kicked ahead in desperation, and Selvyn Davids collected and sent it sailing into the stands.
The Blitzboks may not retain their World Series title this season, but they have shown that their processes are exceptional and what the young team members lack in experience, they make up for in talent.
The comeback will go down in history that few teams could repeat against Fiji.
To put it plainly, it was lekker. And the Blitzboks can certainly take a bow for that exceptional second half.
In the process they managed to take another step towards Olympic Qualification, with only two rounds of the series left to play.
But in Singapore on Sunday the Blitzboks faith in their systems was repaid in full.
And gave their future hopes of returning to the top a massive boost as well.
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