Skipper Siviwe Soyizwapi was impressed with the Blitzboks’ upward curve on day one of the Vancouver Sevens, despite the loss of injured playmaker Ronald Brown.
The South Africans came back from 19 points down to draw against France (19-19) and then scored six tries against Japan (40-12) to set up a table-topping Pool B decider against Argentina at BC Place on Saturday (kick-off 11.26pm).
Sandile Ngcobo’s charges started poorly against the French, allowing their opponents to score three times, with a number of basic errors hampering their efforts. The second half proved to be much better, even after losing Brown to a tournament-ending injury.
Ricardo Duarttee scored four minutes from time to cut the lead to 12 points before tries by Soyizwapi in the 12th and 15th minutes brought the Blitzboks within two points. Duarttee slotted a touchline conversion to level matters after the hooter.
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Soyizwapi also scored a brace against Japan as he rediscovered his try-scoring groove and led from the front. His teammates moved the ball in his direction well and he had 10 carries, with his four line-breaks resulting in a try every time.
“We realised at half time of the France game, being 19-0 down, that we needed to wake up quickly,” ‘Shakes’ said. “We did so in time and took that momentum into the Japan game.
“We realised we needed to keep it simple and do the basics very well, and that worked in that second half and against Japan.”
He also praised debutants Noegh Hayward and Gurshwin Wehr – the former getting his first try while the latter kicked his first conversion – yet insisted the Blitzboks’ focus is now firmly on the clash against Argentina.
“The new guys did well, especially after we lost Ronald because they needed to step up,” Soyizwapi said.
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“It is sad that Ronald is out of the tournament, but that gave the two new guys a chance to show what they can do.
“Argentina are on form, they are having a good season. We need to focus on our game and make sure we improve all the time, then we should be okay.”
Hayward was understandably beaming after his impressive bow, adding: “It was a great feeling to play that first match and to then score the first try.
“Our team culture is such that we celebrate milestones together, so the guys were really happy for me. That was great. I was just at the right place at the right time, so I could show what I can do.”
Six tries scored in a convincing 40-12 win over Japan. One of the try-scorers was Noegh Hayward, who is playing in his first tournament. #BlitzIgnite pic.twitter.com/cWqXskUS8g
— Springbok Sevens (@Blitzboks) March 4, 2023
Photo: Mike Lee/KLC fotos for World Rugby