The Blitzboks delivered a trio of stirring performances at the Cape Town SVNS on Saturday, defeating Fiji, New Zealand and Great Britain to remain unbeaten as they powered their way into the semi-finals.
With the defending champions chasing back-to-back home titles, the South African side fed off the electric energy inside the DHL Stadium and rose to every challenge placed before them. Now, a clash against France (12.22pm kick-off) awaits the Springbok Sevens for a place in the final on Sunday.
Their most dramatic display came against arch-rivals New Zealand in the second pool match, where they showed immense grit and resolve to clinch a 19-14 victory despite being reduced to six men on two occasions in the first half.
The Blitzboks’ defensive effort was nothing short of heroic as they held firm under pressure, tackling relentlessly and disrupting the All Blacks Sevens at every turn. The score was 7-0 in favour of New Zealand before the fightback started in the second stanza.
Donavan Don scored a scintillating try out wide after great build-up work by playmaker Tristan Leyds. Shilton van Wyk, who received one of the yellow cards, made up for his mistake by scoring the try that gave his team the lead, before Ronald Brown sealed the game with a try in the corner, beating a couple of defenders.
In truth, the final scoreline flattered the Kiwis, who struggled to match South Africa’s intensity for much of the second half.
The final pool match against Great Britain on Saturday evening became a dead rubber after Fiji defeated the All Blacks in the second-last match of day one. However, from the get-go, the Blitzboks were relentless and opened their scoring inside the first two minutes with a well-worked try out on the wing by Donavan Don.
A minute later, playmaker Ricardo Duarttee side-stepped through a couple of defenders and extended the lead to 12-0. Two more exciting tries and a halftime lead of 24-0 meant the game was in the bag.
Quick feet from Tricky Ricky 🪄🪄
📺 Stream #HSBCSVNSCPT on DStv: https://t.co/0P0NNhnwKw pic.twitter.com/GVEc7r59q2
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) December 6, 2025
But that was not where the action stopped. The first five-pointer in the second half went to debutant Nabo Sokoyi as he sailed through the British defence to dive over. His teammates swamped him on the ground, as they normally do for a first-ever Blitzboks try by a new player.
The final score of 41-7 showed the dominance of the South Africans as they sealed another emphatic victory.
Earlier in the day, the hosts overcame another heavyweight in Fiji, coming from a sluggish start to secure a crucial 24-21 win. Shilton van Wyk stole the show with a superb hat-trick, igniting the crowd and swinging momentum firmly in South Africa’s favour.
The #Blitzboks have made it two from two on the opening day of the #HSBCSNVS Cape Town – more here: https://t.co/6qZXlV3YKX 🔥#PoweredByUnity pic.twitter.com/3OJGdLTK9f
— Springbok Sevens (@Blitzboks) December 6, 2025
The Blitzboks’ ability to adapt on defence, accelerate the attacking tempo and finish clinically highlighted their growing confidence as the tournament progressed.
Throughout all three games, the team drew heavily on the passion of their supporters, making full use of what they fondly call the “extra player” in the stands.
That connection helped spark comebacks, lift spirits when the pressure mounted and ultimately propel the Blitzboks into the final four, where they will now look to defend their Cape Town crown.
