Blitzboks fail to make Vancouver quarters

The Blitzboks inconsistent run of form continued as they were bundled out of the Vancouver SVNS Cup competition by losing their final pool fixture 22-10 to Ireland, to finish last in the “pool of death”

After winning their opening game against New Zealand, who ironically will face France in the Cup semifinals after defeating Fiji in the quarters, the Blitzboks then lost to Great Britain in their second game and needed to beat Ireland to make the quarters.

The loss meant they missed out on the quarterfinals and had to play off for ninth spot, hardly the finish they would have wanted.

While they beat Canada 20-14 in the ninth place semifinal, they still have to face Australia in their final game of the tournament for ninth spot. Kick off is at 9.21pm.

France, with superstar Antoine Dupont in its ranks, beat Ireland 12-5 in their quarterfinal to advance to face New Zealand. USA face World Series leaders Argentina in the other semifinal.

In the loss to Ireland David Brits scored his first try for the Blitzboks and Rosko Specman added a second late in the game, although it was over as a contest by then.

In the women’s tournament the Springbok Sevens disappointing run of form continued, as they lost 12-5 to Brazil in their final pool game and then 24-5 to Japan in the ninth place semifinal.