USA pile misery on bumbling Blitzboks, Samoa champions at Cape Town Sevens

The Blitzboks slumped to another shock defeat when they went down 22-14 to the USA in the third-place bronze medal match at the Cape Town Sevens on Saturday.

ALSO READ: Blitzboks crash and burn at Cape Town Sevens

There was to be no podium finish for the Blitzboks at the Cape Town Sevens after they failed to beat the USA in the third-place playoff match at a rapidly emptying Cape Town Stadium.

ALSO READ: Impi Visser — “Blitzboks need to sharpen up”

The South Africans were obviously still reeling from their Cup semi-final exit, but one would have expected a better show of fight and determination from them in the bronze medal game. But alas, they played worse against the USA than they did against Samoa.

The Americans struck a double blow when Marcus Tupuola and Malacchi Esdale went over for tries within a minute of each other in the first half. There was some reprieve for the Blitzboks when skipper Siviwe Soyizwapi dotted down, but the USA didn’t let up the pressure as they ran in a third try for a 15-7 half-time scoreline.

WATCH: The moment that broke Blitzboks’ hearts

And they all but sealed the bronze medal deal with fourth touchdown courtesy of Faitala Talapusi. Davlon Blood would go on to score a second for the Blitzboks, but given the circumstances, it hadn’t even served as a consolation for a team that are left with more questions than answers.

Meanwhile in the Cup final, Samoa held their nerve to stun New Zealand 12-7 to be crowned Cape Town Sevens champions.

ALSO READ: Cape Town Sevens —When will the Blitzboks play the USA for bronze medal?

The Blitzboks squad for Cape Town Sevens: 

Impi Visser – 23 tournaments, 118 matches, 125 points (25 tries)
Zain Davids – 34 tournaments, 170 matches, 160 points (32 tries)
Ryan Oosthuizen – 34 tournaments, 163 matches, 165 points (33 tries)
James Murphy – 10 tournaments, 46 matches, 50 points (10 tries)
JC Pretorius – 22 tournaments, 116 matches, 245 points (49 tries)
Masande Mtshali – 1 tournament, 1 match
Branco du Preez – 84 tournaments, 426 matches, 1442 points (101 tries, 466 conversions, 1 drop goal)
Ricardo Duarrtee – 1 tournament, 6 matches, 30 points (4 tries, 5 conversions)
Darren Adonis – 8 tournaments, 33 matches, 54 points (10 tries, 2 conversions)
Muller Du Plessis – 21 tournaments, 98 matches, 325 points (65 tries)
Shilton van Wyk – 6 tournaments, 34 matches, 50 points (10 tries)
Dalvon Blood – 2 tournaments, 10 matches, 25 points (5 tries)
Siviwe Soyizwapi (captain) – 42 tournaments, 221 matches, 690 points (138 tries)

ALSO READ: Blitzboks primed for success at Cape Town Sevens