Ex Supersport
It is easy to characterize 2014 as a stellar year for Sevens Rugby in South Africa.
And indeed it was. The breakthroughs that coach Neil Powell and his hard-working management achieved should not be scoffed at. And with a series that is a bit skewed in terms of the calendar, there were still disappointments and concerns about the team’s consistency, but they were overshadowed by some stellar moments of triumph that deserve praise.
- Rugby 2014: the Year in Pictures
Anyone who is close to the team will know how hard they work. Sevens can no longer be dismissed as the Cinderella sport that compared to touch rugby. Something teams did for a warm-up, things that were seen as a summer distraction, while the rest of the rugby world take their break.
Fitness levels top those of fifteens by quite a way and in a game where numbers are limited, workrate is the key to success whenever you play against the best in the world.
The Blitzbokke have always been among the best in the world but when compared to the current World Champions New Zealand, have always been second best in terms of consistency. And when Powell took over from Paul Treu, his aim was not only to improve the results, but also to ensure that consistency was the watchword for the team wherever they played in the world.
The breakthroughs are easy to remember. While it didn’t fall technically in the 2014 year, the wonderful win in Port Elizabeth on a weekend the country was mourning the death of State President Nelson Mandela last year set the tone for a massive season from the Blitzbokke.
The Commonwealth Games was the pinnacle of a season that showed just how much promise there is in this side. For years they have flirted with success against the All Blacks, only to fail in terms of consistency. In Glasgow they produced an exceptional performance to beat the All Blacks 17-12, being propelled to victory by exceptional performances by Cecil Afrika and speedster Seabelo Senatla.
But while Senatla gets a lot of the limelight for his try-scoring abilities, the real change in the team has been up front where the breakdown has become an area where the team no longer is bossed off the ball, with the likes of Kwagga Smith up front, and Werner Kok at the back coming into their own as the season went on.
In recent weeks both players have been integral parts of the team’s success – both in Dubai and Port Elizabeth where victories have surged them to new heights to lead the HSBC World Series as it takes a well-earned year end break.
The year started off exceptionally well, with the Blitzbokke defending their Las Vegas title to add to the Port Elizabeth crown they had, but then were disappointing as the season went on, with their performances in London and Glasgow a particular low point for Powell’s side.
Injuries played a part, but it was also clear the consistency of the side is something that cost them, especially as things headed down to the wire. Losing finalists in Wellington and Tokyo, the Blitzbokke headed into the final three tournaments breathing down the All Blacks’ necks on the points tally, but then had a horror run that started in Hong Kong and reached a low point in Glasgow, blowing their chances of taking the world title.
A second place finish was perhaps not what the Boks wanted, but with a Commonwealth gold medal around their necks, and three tournament victories in 2014, they remain South Africa’s best performing team this season.
And now topping the World Series standings, there is a lot to look forward to in 2015.
Barring injuries the side looks capable of ruling 7s in 2015?
