Fans cheer on the Blitzboks in Cape Town Fans cheer on the Blitzboks during the Cape Town Sevens tournament at the Cape Town Stadium in the Mother City. Photo: Ayanda Ndamane/Independent Newspapers
Image: Ayanda Ndamane/Independent Newspapers
The Blitzboks came from behind to beat surprise package Spain 19-12 to book their place in the cup final of the Cape Town Sevens tournament at the Cape Town Stadium in the Mother City on Sunday afternoon.
With Springbok captain Siya Kolisi and a partisan Cape Town crowd cheering them on from the stands, the men in green and gold rallied brilliantly to turn around a half-time deficit into a win.
In a game played in front of a full-house, Spain were quickest out of the blocks and silenced the home crowd when they went 12-0 up after seven minute through tries from Eduardo Lopez and Alejandro Laforga.
After surprising everyone in Dubai a week ago by reaching the final, the Spaniards were aiming to prove that was no fluke by doing it again in Cape Town. And after going 12-0 up, they looked like they were on their way to a second consecutive title decider.
Zain Davids got the Blitzboks bac in with a shout when he dotted over on the stroke of half time. Tristan Leyds' missed conversion meant the European team held on to their slender lead at the break.
After the break, the momentum swung completely in the home side's favour, who were being roared on by Kolisi and thousands in attendance. With full time approaching, Leyds and Shilton van Wyk each crossed the try line in quick succession to put the home side in front, and one foot in the final.
After going in front, the Blitzboks went into defensive mode and kept the Spanish attackers at bay and were able to hold on until the full-time whistle to book their place in final, which is set to take place at 7.11pm on Sunday night.
IOL Sport