The Blitzboks may have been a cut above the rest in last season’s World Sevens Series but their almost perfect campaign had on blot, a heartbreaking 17-19 loss to England in the final of last year’s Cape Town tournament.
South Africa took the defeat quite hard despite the fact that they got very close.
That would suggest Neil Powell’s charges felt they had missed a golden opportunity to win a home series.
It’s actually not the case.
The Blitzboks actually have a fabulous history at home.
For the past decade, they’ve reach the final of the South African Sevens six times and won in four of them.
Here’s a recap.
2008 in George: Beat New Zealand 12-7
The Blitzboks’ first title on home soil coincided (later on) with their first overall series win after years of being so-called bridesmaids.
Desperate to win in the Southern Cape but hampered by injuries to then captain Powell and veteran Marius Schoeman, South Africa trailed the All Blacks early.
But they dominated possession and territory in the second half and finally broke through – two minutes from the final whistle – with Mzwandile Stick dotting down.
2011 in Port Elizabeth: Lost to New Zealand 26-31
Sevens had come to the Bay for the first time and the Blitzboks almost made it an event to remember.
They had cruised throughout and looked dead set to beat their archrivals in the showpiece game once again.
But they lost concentration and eventually lost with the final movement of the game when Tomasi Cama went over.
2013 in Port Elizabeth: Beat New Zealand 17-14
South Africa was still in mourning after former President Nelson Mandela’s death just four days before but Madiba Magic was present for one last time.
Having dedicated their tournament to the late world icon, the Blitzboks duly delivered.
They were down 14-0 early but struck a crucial blow just before half-time when Branco du Preez scored.
That gave South Africa the confidence to shut out New Zealand and, crucially, out-score them.
2014 in Port Elizabeth: Beat New Zealand 26-17
By now, the Blitzboks had started to develop their overall dominance over the old enemy.
The previous week in Dubai they had thumped the New Zealanders 28-0 but their opponents weren’t going to be dogmeat for a second time in a row.
The All Blacks continually hit back just when South Africa seemed to be out of sight – especially after Cecil Afrika was sent to the sin bin – but the Blitzboks’ patience on attack proved simply too much.
2015 in Cape Town: Beat Argentina 29-14
The Blitzboks were way off the pace during the first day, where they managed to scrape into the cup quarterfinals by the skin of their teeth.
Yet they were unrecognisable the next day, romping to the title with something to spare.
Argentina, surprise finalists, had no chance as the Blitzboks were physical and brutal at the breakdown, where they scored points from turnovers.
2016 in Cape Town: Lost to England 17-19
Captain Kyle Brown had already cried off with a knee injury early, while coach Powell took a gamble on Seabelo Senatla’s calf strain by using him in a semifinal win over the All Blacks.
That paid off but it meant he missed the final, depriving South Africa of their star.
The Blitzboks, in general, weren’t really in the game as they had no front foot ball.
However, Werner Kok dotted on the left touchline in the dying second, raising hopes of a draw and extra time.
But poor Justin Geduld couldn’t nail a extremely difficult conversion.
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