RECAP | Singapore SVNS: Blitzboks slip to hand Argentina SVNS title, SA women end on high

New Zealand secured double glory at the Singapore Sevens on Sunday as they emerged victorious in both the men's and women's tournaments.

New Zealand's men held off a determined challenge from Ireland to win 17-14 while their women's team surged to a 31-21 victory over Australia.

The Blitzboks handed log-leaders Argentina the HSBC SVNS Series title as they came from behind to defeat South Africa in their fifth-place playoff on Sunday.

The Blitzboks lost 14-10 despite leading 10-0 at half-time.

South Africa dominated the first half as Tiaan Pretorius opened the scoring and was shortly followed by skipper Siviwe Soyizwapi.

Back from the break, Argentina bounced back with a try from Agustín Fraga.

With two minutes remaining and Argentina needing a win to claim the maiden HSBC SVNS title, Tobias Wade scored between the posts and slotted a conversion to hand Argentina the win.

The Blitzboks finish a sixth at the Singapore SVNS.

Scorers:

South Africa

Tries: Tiaan Pretorius, Siviwe Soyizwapi

Argentina

Tries: Agustín Fraga, Tobias Wade

Conversion: Wade

South Africa women secure 9th spot with USA win

The Springbok Sevens women's team ended their Singapore SVNS campaign in style as they defeated USA.

South Africa won 5-0 to finish ninth place in Singapore.

Maria Tshiremba scored the sole match-winning try in the seventh-minute to snatch victory for the SA women.

Blitzboks lose to Australia in overtime after a valiant comeback

In a stunning display of resilience, the Blitzboks rallied to push Australia into overtime, showcasing their trademark tenacity and spirit.

However, in a cruel twist of fate, the Thunderbolts capitalized on a numerical advantage after the South Africans went a man down, ultimately securing the hard-fought 24-29 victory.

In a whirlwind of tries and tension, Australia surged ahead with a converted try by Nathan Lawson, swiftly followed by another from Dietrich Roache.

South Africa fought back valiantly, Zain Davids slicing through the defence for a try of their own.

Yet, despite their efforts, the Blitzboks struggled to convert opportunities into points, while Henry Hutchinson and Lawson added to Australia's lead.

But just when it seemed the game was slipping away, the Blitzboks roared back to life.

Tristan Leyds, Christie Grobberaar, and Quewin Nortje ignited a late surge with their impressive tries, drawing the game level at 24-24, which sent the match into a dramatic overtime showdown.

Yet, in the crucial moments, the Blitzboks faltered. A yellow card for Shilton van Wyk left them vulnerable, and Australia seized the opportunity. I

In a breathtaking display of speed and skill, Nick Malouf carved through the South African defence to secure Australia's path to the semi-finals, leaving fans on the edge of their seats and hearts pounding with anticipation.

The Blitzboks will take on Argentina in the play-off for fifth place at 09:55 SA time.

Blitzboks off to a hot start in Singapore with two from two

The Blitzboks subdued a game Samoan team 15-10 to take the fast-track to the quarter-finals of the Singapore Sevens with one more pool match remaining.

Having carved through Spain in their Pool B opener, South Africa found themselves in a tense affair with Samoa that had the look of going down to the wire.

The Blitzboks made use of phase play to attempt to wear down the Samoans at first, but the latter proved they would be no pushovers in this match in an initial battle for territory rather than free-scoring Sevens rugby.

It was Samoa who drew first blood after some patient build-up of phase play of their own to test the Blitzboks' resolve from their own half, with Uaina Tui Stone trotting over after finding the breakthrough in SA's defence.

The Blitzboks retaliated soon after with a try from Quewin Nortje, who opted for pace rather than patience, and the teams jogged off into half-time with a try apiece and little else separating them.

The South Africans struck early in the second half after Selvyn Davids broke through following some cute interplay off a line-out in the Samoan 22, with their handling more polished than their opponents'.

The Samoans, who struggled to find their way back into the South African 22 since their first-half try, conceded a penalty in the face of stifling defence from the South Africans.

The Blitzboks opted for a tap-and-go from where they made hay in the Samoan red zone, with a third try coming from Shilton van Wyk as they prised open the deadlock.

As the seconds ticked down, the Blitzboks' defence held firm until Samoa made use of the width of the field to send Daniel Patelesio off to the tryline, but it came too late.

With their second win on the trot, the Blitzboks made another hot start to the tournament, with France awaiting them on Saturday (08:24 SA time) in their final Pool B game to decide who finishes top of the pile.

France have also claimed two wins from two matches in Pool B.

Scorers:

Blitzboks 15 (5)

Tries: Quewin Nortje, Selvyn Davids, Shilton van Wyk

Samoa 10 (5)

Try: Uaina Tui Stone

SA Women cut down to size by rollicking France

The South African women had the wind knocked out of their sails after a promising start against the USA in their first match, as the slick French romped to a seven-try victory.

France came out guns blazing with four converted tries in the first half to take the match into double figures in quick step, leaving the South African defensive lines all at sea in their wake.

Trailing 28-0 at half-time, South Africa, who were always punching above their weight in this tournament, came out in the second half trying to slow the game down in an effort to frustrate France.

But to no avail, as each time the flying Frenchwomen touched the ball, they could not be kept from the tryline.

On the upside, South Africa narrowly avoided a worse hammering at the hands of the French than their last 53-0 defeat, this time losing 49-0. France will take some stopping in Singapore this weekend.

Scorers

France 49 (28)

Tries: Alycia Chrystiaens, Lou Noel (2), Seraphine Okemba (2), Montserat Amedee, Yolaine Yengo

Conversions: Yolaine Yengo (4), Shannon Izar (3)

SA 0 (0)

Classy Blitzboks rumble Spain in Singapore opener

It was a classy start from the Blitzboks as they rumbled Spain 31-7 in their Singapore Sevens opener in Pool B at the National Stadium on Friday.

Selvyn Davids opened the scoring for the Blitzboks with a skip and hop through the Spanish defence from kick off, with Dewald Human converting.

The Blitzboks asserted themselves on the match early, with Human adding their second try, which went unconverted, as the Spanish struggled to find a foothold in the game against a domineering South Africa.

At half-time the South Africans held the upper hand with a 12-0 lead.

It was more of the same from the Blitzboks from kick off, with Christie Groblaar taking the ball into the Spanish red zone after the restart, and once the South Africans had a sniff, the canter over the line by Impi Visser was inevitable. 

Tristan Leyds jogged over again in the blink of an eye to make it four tries to null and it wasn't long before Specmagic struck as Rosko scored to mark his 35th tournament.

Spain's Enrique Bolinches scored off an overlap in the last minute for some consolation.

A season with more downs than ups will see the Blitzboks finish outside the top six in the series, but the South Africans will be playing the long game with an eye to Madrid and Olympic qualification in Monaco.

They play Samoa next at 13:18.

Scorers:

Blitzboks 31 (12)

Tries: Selvyn Davids, Dewald Human, Impi Visser, Tristan Leyds, Rosko Specman

Conversions: Human (2), Davids

Spain (7) 0

Try: Enrique Bolinches

Conversion: Juan Martinez

The Blitzboks open their Singapore Sevens campaign against Spain in Pool B, which also includes Samoa and France.

The match starts at 07:58.

FINAL PLAY TRY GIVES SA WOMEN THE EDGE OVER USA

A converted try at the death was the difference in the match between the USA and the underdog South African women, who pipped the Americans 14-12 in their Pool B opener in Singapore on Friday.

The scores were level at half-time with a try apiece, but the South Africans were trailing by five with a minute to go in the second half.

They would have the final say when, with the last play off a scrum on the five-metre mark, there was no stopping Simamkele Namba once she had a whiff of the tryline and leapt over the line.

Nadine Roos, who had scored in the first half, sealed the deal with the conversion.

The South Africans play France next at 10:10.  

Welcome to News24's coverage of the Singapore SVNS.