Blitzboks face Spain for third spot

The Springbok Sevens side will face Spain for third spot after a heartbreaking extra-time loss to Australia in the semifinals put them out of contention for the Perth Sevens title.

There was a lot of sympathy for the Blitzboks though, as they had to deal with so many one-sided calls that it was hard not to wonder if the result was predetermined.

The @Blitzboks come up short in the end as Australia advance to the gold medal match 🇦🇺⏩

📺 Stream #HSBCSVNS on DStv: https://t.co/0P0NNho4A4 pic.twitter.com/narO0MQMFG

— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) January 26, 2025

While they squandered chances to win, it took a try in extra time - after Ryan Oosthuizen was inexplicably sin-binned for an intercept that he knocked on - for Australia to finally score and be able to celebrate Australia Day with a spot in the final.

This came after a string of penalties against the Blitzboks, which seemed to come every time they stopped the Aussie attack, and some very bemused looks from the South Africans on the field.

English referee George Selwood seemed overly influenced by the partisan crowd, enough to swing the game firmly in the favour of the home side after it ended 12-12 at the end of regulation time.

Selvyn Davids scored both of South Africa’s tries while James Turner and Sydney Harvey scored for Australia. Aden Ekanayake was the man to get the winning try when South Africa were down to six men.

The Blitzboks now face Spain at 12.35pm for the third-place playoff while Australia face defending champions Argentina for the title.