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Kiwi victorious, Boks humbled
02/02/2008 15:17 - (SA)
Wellington - It was a bittersweet day for South Africa, who in spite of losing in the Cup quarter-finals to unfancied Tonga, still managed to win the Plate trophy at the International Rugby Board's Sevens in Wellington, New Zealand, on Saturday.
As New Zealand swept all before them to win a third straight tournament in the 2007/08 season, Paul Treu's men failed to make the semi-finals for the first time since the Scotland tournament last year.
The defeat against Tonga was the low point of the season, but a few hours later the Sevens Boks managed to put that disappointment behind them to triumph over the much-vaunted Fijians, themselves surprise-losers in the quarters against neighbours Samoa.
The 14-10 scoreline against the Tongans suggested the Boks were not up to scratch, with a number of the more senior players that did damage to their reputations.
It was a flat performance by the South Africans and Treu could not hide his disappointment after that game.
However, they managed to pull themselves together and beat Fiji by 26-19 before cruising to the plate title with a 19-12 victory over Wales.
Treu said afterwards that he felt empty, but still managed to see the positives from the victory over Fiji, a game in which the Boks led by 19-5 at the break.
"At least we closed the gap on Fiji, although I can't see any team catching New Zealand after they've won their third tournament in a row," said Treu.
"I am happy with the plate win, but at the same time disappointed that all the players did not play to their full potential against Tonga.
"Beating Fiji is very good and something we can build on next weekend in San Diego. The players would have realised what they are capable of if they play like they can."
Frankie Horne and the 19-year-old debutant Juan de Jongh were two of the younger guns that impressed in Wellington. Treu said these and other performances now give him the option to rotate his squad more freely - something he has been loathe to do thus far.
"Frankie was very good and I'm predicting a very rosy future for young Juan," said the Bok coach.
While the Sevens Boks will do all in their power to at least get to the final next weekend in San Diego, California, it will be a huge ask for any team to beat the rampaging Kiwis.
Gordon Tietjens's side has now won all three tournaments in the current series, adding to their victories last year in the final two tournaments, in London and Edinburgh.
The five consecutive tournament victories is a record and just prove that there is a huge gap between the Kiwis and the rest.
New Zealand now have a maximum of 60 log points, followed by Fiji on 36, South Africa on 32 and Samoa, who really impressed in Wellington, on 26.
Results from day two:
Cup:
Quarter-finals:
Fiji 17-19 Samoa
SA 10-14 Tonga
Scotland 7-31 Australia
New Zealand 40-5 Wales
Semi-finals:
Tonga 21-24 Samoa
New Zealand 32-7 Australia
Final:
New Zealand 22-17 Samoa.
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