OPINION: Blitzboks were again disappointing at Cape Town Sevens

The Blitzboks faltered once again in their home event, the Cape Town Sevens, finishing fourth at the World Sevens Series stop in the Mother City.

Having cruised through the opening two days of play unbeaten, the Dubai champions and home town favourites then slipped up in the semifinal against Samoa, just being edged by an extra time drop kick penalty.

They followed that up with an uninspired showing in the bronze medal match, comfortably being beaten by the USA to end their tournament on a low note.

Struggling at home

It was thus another frustrating night for local fans who watched their side underperform in home conditions again.

The Blitzboks have traditionally struggled in their home event, having won just four out of 22 series legs held in South Africa.

New Zealand have made SA a home away from home and won 11 legs in the country, while Fiji have won four, England two, and Samoa became the newest team to triumph in the country after they beat New Zealand in Sunday’s final.

READ MORE: Samoa triumph in challenging conditions at Cape Town Sevens

The last time the Blitzboks won their home event was back during a three tournament winning run that included the last two editions held at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha over the 2013/14, and 2014/15 seasons.

They then triumphed in the first Cape Town Sevens event in the 2015/16 season, but have not won in the last five events.

Poor comeback

It was even more disappointing due to this being the first Cape Town event in three years after the last two events were lost due to Covid.

The Blitzboks’ poor performance in the Sevens World Cup at the same stadium earlier this year also meant fans were hopeful of an improved showing, which they did manage after finishing seventh at the showpiece event, but their fourth-place finish was not enough.

The fan turnout at the event was also disappointing, having usually been a major drawcard in previous years, but various factors could have led to the low turnout, with the current struggles in the country, and the unpredictable form of the Blitzboks being possible factors.

A decent crowd did pitch up for the Blitzboks’ semifinal, but following the home team’s loss it had thinned out substantially by the time the final was played.