South Africa won their third-ever tournament in the International Rugby Board’s Sevens series Friday when they defeated New Zealand 33-26 in a classic final at the Emirates Air Dubai Sevens tournament.
The South African team has now taken the lead in the competition, which continues next week in George.
The fourth seeded Springboks deserved their win. They defeated the three top-ranked teams in the competition — Fiji, New Zealand and England –on their way to glory and also had Fabian Juries voted Player of the Tournament.
It was rather fitting as Juries not only scored the winning try against the men in black, but also had a huge role to play in the lead-up matches.
It will also do coach Chester Williams’s credentials no harm and the sevens code now needs to be taken seriously by everyone in local rugby.
They had the 1 000-strong ex-patriot community here in ecstasy but the South Africans also won the hearts of a very supportive crowd with some stunning tries.
Juries was outstanding, captain Marc de Marigny was as solid as a rock and younger players like Tonderai Chavhanga and Paul Delport were a revelation.
Earlier a late drop goal by Earl Rose secured South Africa a place in the final. The successful kick ended the hopes of top-seeded England, as South Africa scored a 13-12 victory to set up a clash with defending champions of the Emirates Trophy New Zealand. The champions killed off Samoan hopes, defeating their Islands brothers 33-0.
The South Africans scored early against England when Rose finished off a sniping break by Juries, but failed with his conversion attempt. Rob Thirlby replied for England seconds before the break. A successful kick by Ben Gollings saw England leading the Boks 7-5 at the break.
Juries put the South Africans ahead again after a brilliant run (10-5) only for Richard Haughton to score with a minute to go.
The fourth seeds attacked with purpose and when England killed the ball on the ground, Rose stepped up with the match winning drop goal.
In other results Zambia beat the Arabian Gulf 59-26 to win the Shield.
Canada won the Bowl by defeating Kenya. Argentina won the Plate competition against Australia. – Sapa