Ronald Brown on the run. Photo: David Van Der Sandt/Gallo Images
Blitzboks romp to Dubai Sevens title to start series on top
The Blitzboks cruised to their 18th straight World Rugby Sevens Series match as they clinched the Dubai Sevens crown in dominant fashion.
Ronald Brown on the run. Photo: David Van Der Sandt/Gallo Images
The Blitzboks cruised to their 18th straight World Rugby Sevens Series match as they clinched the Dubai Sevens crown in dominant fashion by beating the USA by 42-7 in a high-octane Cup final on Saturday afternoon.
Inspired by man of the match Ronald Brown who was in sublime form and contributed 25 points in the final through three tries and five conversions the Blitzboks overwhelmed the Eagles.
JC Pretorius, Selvyn Davids and Shaun Williams also added their names to the scoreboard as the Green and Gold enjoyed the buffet.
Brown scored early, after which Pretorius ghosted over untouched from a quick tap penalty in the USA 22. At this stage, the Blitzboks set up camp in their opponents’ half.
With time up in the first half, Brown danced his way over for his second try, which came from a turnover in the USA half, to hand the Blitzboks a 21-0 lead at the break.
That lead would soon grow as Pretorius attacked from the restart and after a barnstorming run, put Brown over for his third try.
Selvyn Davids scored from a trademark chip and chase before the USA pulled one back, but it was too little, too late and when Williams went over on the stroke of full-time, the South Africans could celebrate.
In their first game on Saturday morning, the Blitzboks displayed great attacking precision and defensive efficiency as they beat Australia by 29-5 in their Dubai Sevens quarter-final, and later booked their place in the final with a 17-7 win over Argentina.
In the quarter-final, Siviwe Soyizwapi scored on either side of the break as he led his team to a great win, which equalled their record streak from 2008/09 of 16 consecutive victories.
The South Africans started well as Selvyn Davids made it to the try-line from the kick-off, but he failed to score. Moments later, though, JC Pretorius went over from a turnover in the Aussie 22.
Scorers: Dubai Sevens – Blitzboks
QUARTER-FINAL: Springbok Sevens 29 (12) Australia 5 (5)
Springbok Sevens – Tries: JC Pretorius, Siviwe Soyizwapi (2), Selvyn Davids, Tiaan Pretorius. Conversions: Ronald Brown, Branco du Preez.
Australia – Try: Henry Hutchison.
SEMI-FINAL: Springbok Sevens 17 (7) Argentina 7 (7)
Springbok Sevens – Tries: Shilton van Wyk, Siviwe Soyizwapi, JC Pretorius. Conversion: Ronald Brown.
Argentina – Try: Rodrigo Isro. Conversion: Isro.
FINAL: Springbok Sevens 42 (21) USA 7 (0)
Springbok Sevens – Tries: Ronald Brown (3), JC Pretorius, Selvyn Davids, Shaun Williams. Conversions: Brown (5), Branco du Preez.
USA – Try: Lucas Lacamp. Conversion: Steve Tomasin.
