Former Blitzbok captain Philip Snyman was furious as his Germany side threw away a 12-0 lead in Rugby World Cup Sevens qualifying round, losing in the end to a last minute penalty 15-12 to Chile.
Snyman was hoping the side could win so that he could have a showdown with Blitzboks coach Neil Powell later in the day. But instead of facing his former coach, the Germany side will now play off tomorrow for 17th spot while Chile will face the Blitzboks on Friday night.
Snyman was not a happy man after the game.
“It was a big disappointment. I thought in the beginning we struggled to get control, massive defence from the boys and we put two tries on them. Unfortunately the discipline cost us the game, we had two yellow cards and it is impossible to play this game with five guys on the field,” Snyman told supersport.com
“Towards the end we had the chances, we still had the ball, but we weren’t quick enough to the breakdown and they capitalised on it. We are very disappointed.”
Snyman lamented the lost opportunity of facing Powell, who he worked with as captain for several seasons before retiring last year.
“For us, we want to measure ourselves against the world’s best, but we only have ourselves to blame. We can’t blame anyone else, unfortunately it is one that slipped through and we won’t get the chance to play them.
“We knew they were going to be physical. We controlled the game, we had two tries and put 12 points on the board, but then two yellow cards and too many penalties at the breakdown, conceding turnovers, cost us the game.
“We had the game and we lost against ourselves.”