Record-equalling Blitzboks sweep to Seville Sevens title

The Blitzboks equalled the second-best all-time winning streak in HSBC World Sevens Series history as they downed Australia 33-7 to win the Seville Sevens on Sunday night.

The team equalled the 2001-02 New Zealand winning streak of 34 straight wins as they took their fourth title out of four on this year’s series and sixth in a row during the pandemic to totally dominate the sport.

While cynics will point out that New Zealand and Fiji aren’t on the current circuit due to Covid restrictions, the old adage of only being able to play what is in front of you rings true for the Blitzboks as they continue to produce consistency and high-quality performances.

On a night when an able young Australian side took them head-on in terms of pace and physicality, it took a second-half performance to turn the tide and storm to the title in the last minutes on the back of classy, forthright running and the high standards this side sets for itself.

Christie Grobbelaar was a deserved man of the match for his brace of tries, even though the baby faced assassin still looks like he should be preparing for school on Monday.

The gold rush continues! ??

Christoffel Grobbelaar was crowned HSBC Player of the Final after an incredible performance at HSBC Spain Sevens in Seville. #Spain7s | #HSBC7s | @Blitzboks pic.twitter.com/BSmg86kDlE

— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) January 30, 2022

While their achievements often fly under the radar, this Blitzboks team can possibly claim to be the most consistent sporting team in the country and deserve far more plaudits than they often get.

And they continue to take steps towards September, when they will host the Sevens World Cup in Cape Town and look to break their duck in the showpiece tournament.

Without their captain, Siviwe Soyizwapi, who is injured and with fatigue also a factor, they were harassed and run from pillar to post by the Aussies, whose intent was clear and for a while it looked like it was going to work.

But just when Ben Dowling scored the opening try to convert an almost entire first half’s dominance into points, the Blitzboks hit back straight away, taking those precious seconds after the hooter for Grobbelaar to boot the ball ahead and pounce and score.

The fact that the Blitzboks were on even terms at the break gave them more confidence and they opened the second half with even more gusto, not letting a yellow card to Darren Adonis break their stride as Grobbelaar scored his second.

Australia fell apart and gave away two yellows under pressure - first to Josh Turner and then to Maurice Longbottom as they were reduced in numbers.

For obvious reasons, that didn’t help their cause and the Blitzboks grew stronger, with Ryan Oosthuizen and then Adonis adding their names to the scoresheet as the lead grew and Australia grew more desperate.

When Impi Visser scored at the death it completed a second-half rout and another win for this exceptional team.

And another top-class performance was rewarded with another trophy.

Underlining the fact that this record-equalling side deserves all the applause for their inspirational efforts.