Four Blitzbokke have been rewarded for their dazzling displays at the Cell C Nelson Mandela Bay Sevens tournament by being chosen for the HSBC World Dream Team.
Playmaker Cecil Afrika and flyers Seabelo Senatla, Kwagga Smith and Werner Kok have all been included in the elite Dream Team after they helped the Blitzbokke win the South African leg of the series. It was a special weekend for hometown hero Afrika, who overtook Fabian Juries (925 points) as the all-time leading points-scorer for South Africa.
The Springbok Sevens defeated New Zealand 26-17 in a pulsating final of the Bay Sevens tournament, a week after they claimed the Dubai Sevens title by beating Australia.
Apart from breaking the long-standing record, Afrika also scored a try and kicked a valuable conversion much to the delight of the 36500 fans inside the stadium.
Senatla, the man with the dancing feet, brought the crowd to their feet on several occasions with his dashes down the touchline.
Senatla said: “I had a good tournament in terms of what I contributed to the team’s performances. Right now my focus is on Sevens up to 2016. I will be giving my all to the Sevens code until then.”
Another bonus for lifting the title was that South Africa rocketed to the top of the World Series log-standings. There is an added bonus for teams ending among the top four places because they will automatically qualify for the Olympic Games in Rio in 2016.
The hosts trailed Fiji by two points coming into their home event, but now lead the standings with 59 points, with Fiji (51), New Zealand (47) and Australia (46) completing the top four places.
South African coach Neil Powell was pleased with his side’s ability to stay calm under pressure and to play to their strengths.
“We had to dig deep. We had three very worthy opponents today and each asked very different questions. We had to come from behind in each match but this team has shown they have the determination and belief to succeed.
“We used sport psychologist Dr Jannie Botha this week and it helped the guys to stay focused in a week full of the pressure that comes with hosting the tournament,” said Powell.
The Bok coach had been keen ahead of the Port Elizabeth leg that his team did not get carried away by their stunning win in Dubai.
Sevens skipper Kyle Brown said the session with the psychologist had been good for the team and had kept them focused on the task at hand.
The series will now take a break until the next leg in New Zealand on February 6 and 7 next year.
South Africa head Pool A in Wellington and face the US, France and Japan.
Port Elizabeth runners-up New Zealand and defending series champions will play England, as well as Canada and Papua New Guinea in Pool B. After their setback in the South African leg of the series the New Zealanders will be determined to make homeground advantage count as they bid to move up the log-standings.
Australia head Pool C as the third-placed team in South Africa and face second in the standings Fiji, Wales and Port Elizabeth Shield winners Portugal. The improving Argentina team will play Scotland, Kenya and Samoa.
Magnificent Four prove a Sevens dream
Playmaker Cecil Afrika and flyers Seabelo Senatla, Kwagga Smith and Werner Kok have all been included in the elite Dream Team after they helped the Blitzbokke win the South African leg of the series. It was a special weekend for hometown hero Afrika, who overtook Fabian Juries (925 points) as the all-time leading points-scorer for South Africa.
The Springbok Sevens defeated New Zealand 26-17 in a pulsating final of the Bay Sevens tournament, a week after they claimed the Dubai Sevens title by beating Australia.
Apart from breaking the long-standing record, Afrika also scored a try and kicked a valuable conversion much to the delight of the 36500 fans inside the stadium.
Senatla, the man with the dancing feet, brought the crowd to their feet on several occasions with his dashes down the touchline.
Senatla said: “I had a good tournament in terms of what I contributed to the team’s performances. Right now my focus is on Sevens up to 2016. I will be giving my all to the Sevens code until then.”
Another bonus for lifting the title was that South Africa rocketed to the top of the World Series log-standings. There is an added bonus for teams ending among the top four places because they will automatically qualify for the Olympic Games in Rio in 2016.
The hosts trailed Fiji by two points coming into their home event, but now lead the standings with 59 points, with Fiji (51), New Zealand (47) and Australia (46) completing the top four places.
South African coach Neil Powell was pleased with his side’s ability to stay calm under pressure and to play to their strengths.
“We had to dig deep. We had three very worthy opponents today and each asked very different questions. We had to come from behind in each match but this team has shown they have the determination and belief to succeed.
“We used sport psychologist Dr Jannie Botha this week and it helped the guys to stay focused in a week full of the pressure that comes with hosting the tournament,” said Powell.
The Bok coach had been keen ahead of the Port Elizabeth leg that his team did not get carried away by their stunning win in Dubai.
Sevens skipper Kyle Brown said the session with the psychologist had been good for the team and had kept them focused on the task at hand.
The series will now take a break until the next leg in New Zealand on February 6 and 7 next year.
South Africa head Pool A in Wellington and face the US, France and Japan.
Port Elizabeth runners-up New Zealand and defending series champions will play England, as well as Canada and Papua New Guinea in Pool B. After their setback in the South African leg of the series the New Zealanders will be determined to make homeground advantage count as they bid to move up the log-standings.
Australia head Pool C as the third-placed team in South Africa and face second in the standings Fiji, Wales and Port Elizabeth Shield winners Portugal. The improving Argentina team will play Scotland, Kenya and Samoa.
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