BOMBSHELL: Blitzboks crash out of World Cup Sevens

Coming into the final game on Saturday, the Blitzboks had highlighted that they would be looking for a more dominant performance on defence when they tackled Ireland in the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup Sevens.

Unfortunately, South Africa not only battled to make improvements on defence, but ultimately failed to make any positive impression in any facet of play as the home team produced error after error as they slumped to a humiliating defeat.

The Blitzboks will still compete for a final position in the tournament, but they have crashed out of the title race in shocking fashion.

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The Blitzboks would certainly have been worried when they conceded the first try, with Ireland doing brilliantly to go the full length of the field as they took play through multiple phases.

Things very quickly then seemed to have gone from bad to worse as a sloppy piece of play straight from the kick off led to a possible second try to Ireland, but ultimately the TMO ruled that there was an early tackle in the build-up.

That was a massive let off for the home team, but they continued to look completely out of sorts as two attacking opportunities were wasted soon after. However, they did manage to finally go over for a fortuitous try with the final play of the half.

That left the scores level at 7-7 at the break.

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After the break it was Ireland who dominated the start once again, winning two early lineouts against the throw, and eventually they would barge over for their second try with just four minutes remaining in the game.

That score continues to silence the crowd and left the Blitzboks looking shell-shocked, and just minutes later another massive error gifted Ireland yet another try, and all of a sudden South Africa trailed 19-7.

Before the final whistle, Ireland would score once more to well and truly inflict a horror defeat on South Africa, who could only manage a consolation try in injury time.

BLITZBOKS SQUAD (WITH RWC & WORLD SERIES STATS):

Cecil Afrika – 2013 RWC; 66 World Series tournaments (1462 points)
Ronald Brown – RWC debut; 8 World Series tournaments (285 points)
Angelo Davids – RWC debut; 9 World Series tournaments (160 points)
Selvyn Davids – 2018 RWC; 27 World Series tournaments (564 points)
Muller du Plessis – RWC debut; 20 World Series tournaments (315 points)
Christie Grobbelaar – RWC debut; 8 World Series tournaments (70 points)
Sako Makata – RWC debut; 16 World Series tournaments (60 points)
Mfundo Ndhlovu – RWC debut; 10 World Series tournaments (60 points)
JC Pretorius – RWC debut; 20 World Series tournaments (225 points)
Siviwe Soyizwapi (captain) – 2018 RWC; 40 World Series tournaments (670 points)
Impi Visser – RWC debut; 21 World Series tournaments (115 points)
Shaun Williams – RWC debut; 7 World Series tournaments (80 points)