The Blitzboks finished sixth overall at the Cape Town Sevens after suffering a fifth-place playoff defeat to New Zealand on Sunday afternoon.
A disappointing Cape Town Sevens campaign for the Springbok Sevens came to an end with a heavy 31-7 loss to a stylish New Zealand.
The Blitzboks produced an improved performance on the whole from their quarter-final defeat to Australia, seeing more of the ball and offering a good threat to New Zealand’s tryline. However, they struggled defensively and couldn’t adapt to the referee’s interpretations at the breakdown.
Two quickfire tries gave New Zealand a 10-0 lead in the first half and while the visitors lost Cody Vai to a yellow card, they saw out that period to go into the break with that lead.
The Blitzboks came out firing in the second half and gave themselves hope of a comeback when Ronald Brown sidestepped his way over the tryline from a quick-tap penalty.
However, it was all New Zealand from there as Vai atoned for his yellow card by scoring his second try, before the 11-time Cape Town Sevens champions added a further two scores to seal a comfortable victory.
The Blitzboks will now go on a December break, before re-assembling in the new year to prepare for the next leg of the Sevens Series in Perth from 26-28 January.
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images