Blitzboks

The Blitzboks finished 13th in Los Angeles to end second overall in the final 2022 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series standings. Photo: Mike Lee – KLC fotos for World Rugby

Blitzboks save worst for last as Australia crowned Sevens champions

The Blitzboks finished 13th in Los Angeles to end second overall in the final 2022 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series standings.

Blitzboks

The Blitzboks finished 13th in Los Angeles to end second overall in the final 2022 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series standings. Photo: Mike Lee – KLC fotos for World Rugby

The Blitzboks finished 13th in Los Angeles – their worst result of the season – and ended second overall in the final 2022 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series standings.

ALSO READ | THESE 3 SPRINGBOK VETERANS NEED TO RETIRE NOW!

The Springbok Sevens warmed up towards the end of the LA Sevens on Sunday, finishing the tournament with wins over Spain and Japan, but started their Day 2 effort with a 10-5 defeat to Wales in their opening match.

The two wins in three return was not enough to bring a smile to coach Neil Powell’s face and he did not leave his last World Series tournament in charge of the Blitzboks smiling.

ALSO READ | NICK MALLETT: WHAT WAS ‘STUPID’ FAF DE KLERK TRYING TO DO?

“It was not what we expected,” Powell said afterwards.

“I was not happy with the effort of the team over the two days and we will have to address that when back in Cape Town and preparing for the Rugby World Cup Sevens in two weeks’ time.”

OPINION | DIABOLICAL KIWI REFEREE PAUL WILLIAMS SHOULD NEVER OFFICIATE AGAIN!

The podium finish for the Blitzboks in the 2022 world series season did bring some joy to the squad.

Australia were crowned overall champions for the first time, while New Zealand won the Los Angeles Sevens title, beating Fiji 28-21 in the final.

RESULT | SPRINGBOKS’ VICTORY DROUGHT IN AUSTRALIA DRAGS ON

Blitzboks v Wales. Photo: SA Rugby website

BLITZBOKS RESULTS ON DAY 2 IN LOS ANGELES

South Africa 5-10 Wales

SA – Try: Ryan Oosthuizen

Wales – Tries: Luke Threhane, Morgan Williams

South Africa 29-12 Spain

SA – Tries: Siviwe Soyizwapi, JC Pretorius, James Murphy, Angelo Davids, Muller du Plessis. Conversions: Branco du Preez, Shaun Williams

Spain – tries: Anton Legoburu, Jaime Manteca. Conversion: Francisco Cosculluela

South Africa 26-0 Japan

SA – Tries: Shilton van Wyk, James Murphy, JC Pretorius, Ryan Oosthuizen. Conversions: Branco du Preez (2), Shaun Williams