The South African Blitzboks defeated tournament leaders Argentina 26-24 in a thrilling Singapore Sevens match. Zander Reynders scored the decisive try after sustained pressure from the South African side. The victory came despite earlier tournament challenges, including a red card in their match against Great Britain. Using counterattacking strategy and patience, the Blitzboks overcame Argentina’s defense in the final moments. This win highlights the team’s potential when executing their game plan effectively.
Despite playing with reduced numbers for most of their opening match, the South African Blitzboks stunned tournament leaders Argentina with a thrilling 26-24 victory at the Singapore Sevens. Zander Reynders sealed the win with a last-gasp try after sustained attacking pressure, completing what commentators described as an “end-to-end thriller” that showcased South Africa’s patience and determination.
The victory came during a challenging tournament for the Blitzboks, who entered Singapore in fourth place overall with 66 points in the 2024-25 SVNS standings. The team’s campaign started poorly when Sebastiaan Jobb received a red card within the first two minutes against Great Britain, leading to a heavy 38-10 defeat that would ultimately cost them a semi-final berth.
Singapore proved a rollercoaster for the fourth-placed Blitzboks, their hopes derailed by an early red card against Great Britain.
Argentina, needing only a sixth-place finish to claim the series title, found themselves caught off guard by South Africa’s counterattacking strategy. The Blitzboks employed patient phases of attack, repeatedly testing Argentina’s defense through multiple rucks before exploiting gaps in wide channels. This tactical approach paid dividends as they bounced back from an early deficit. David Brits delivered a pivotal grubber kick that created a critical scoring opportunity against Argentina.
Despite the upset win over Argentina, South Africa couldn’t advance to the semi-finals due to points differential in their three-team pool. The format proved particularly punishing, with each match carrying eliminatory weight and only pool winners progressing to the semi-finals. Argentina, meanwhile, still advanced and eventually secured the SVNS league title.
The Blitzboks finished ninth in Singapore after defeating USA 14-12 and Australia 26-7 in the minor placings. These victories helped South Africa maintain fourth place in the final standings, securing favorable seeding for the upcoming World Championship in Los Angeles. The team maintained their slim two-point advantage over fifth-placed France despite their earlier ninth-place finish in Hong Kong affecting team harmony.
Several players stood out during South Africa’s campaign. Zander Reynders emerged as a key performer, scoring critical tries against both Argentina and USA. Ricardo Duarttee delivered star moments, including a converted try and game-saving penalties against USA, while Tristan Leyds proved lethal with his accurate goal-kicking in tight matches.
The tournament wasn’t without further challenges for the South African team. They lost Donavan Don to injury following a high tackle from Great Britain’s Harry Glover, who received a red card for the dangerous play. This injury, combined with earlier cards to Jobb and Dewald Human, stretched the team’s resources throughout the competition.
The Argentina victory marked a statement win for a Blitzboks side that has struggled for consistency throughout the season. While they couldn’t reach the tournament’s final stages, their ability to defeat the series leaders demonstrated their potential when executing their game plan effectively. The fourth-place finish in the overall standings represents a solid foundation as they look toward Los Angeles.
Conclusion
The Blitzboks’ dramatic victory over the tournament leaders will be remembered as one of the season’s most exciting moments. With their 26-24 win secured in the final seconds, South Africa has proven they remain a formidable force in international sevens rugby. Fans and players alike celebrated the upset win, which has shaken up the tournament standings and breathed new life into the Blitzboks’ campaign.
