{"id":35436,"date":"2018-06-11T05:20:15","date_gmt":"2018-06-10T17:20:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/rugbyredefined.com\/wp\/?p=35436"},"modified":"2018-06-11T10:30:15","modified_gmt":"2018-06-10T22:30:15","slug":"blitzboks-retain-series-title-after-paris-sevens-triumph","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rugbyredefined.com\/wp\/hsbc-sevens-world-series\/2018\/06\/blitzboks-retain-series-title-after-paris-sevens-triumph\/","title":{"rendered":"Blitzboks retain series title after Paris Sevens triumph"},"content":{"rendered":"

Follow @RedefinedRugby<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

South Africa were crowned World Rugby\u2019s 2017\/18 Sevens Series champions after beating England 24-14 in the Paris Sevens Final on Sunday.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

As the scoreline suggests, the Blitzboks were made to work hard for their victory in the final and their triumph means they retain their World Rugby Sevens Series title.<\/span><\/p>\n

For the first time in the history of the World Rugby Sevens Series, the winners were decided in the last match of the final tournament.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fiji came into the Paris Sevens with a seven-point lead over South Africa but the Pacific islanders suffered a shock 19-17 defeat to England in the quarter-finals and eventually finished in fifth place.<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite that, South Africa had to work hard for their triumph and they secured a narrow 15-10 victory over Spain in the quarter-finals before beating New Zealand 24-10 in the semi-finals.<\/span><\/p>\n

South Africa finished the series on top with 182 points, followed by Fiji who took silver with 180 points and New Zealand in third on 150 points after claiming the bronze medal in Paris with a 38-5 victory over Canada in the third-place play-off.<\/span><\/p>\n

South Africa edged past Spain in the quarter-final with a try in the fifth minute of overtime by Justin Deguld, after the scores were tied 10-10 at the end of regular time. The Blitzboks then found their stride in the semi-final with a comprehensive victory over New Zealand thanks to a pair of tries from the impressive 23-year-old Dewald Human who only made his debut two months ago in Hong Kong.<\/span><\/p>\n

Human was again in try scoring form in the final and was delighted to be voted Player of the Final: \u201cIt\u2019s been a fantastic experience here in Paris. I backed myself and just enjoyed every minute on the field. We stuck to the game plan and are very happy with the win.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

South Africa captain Philip Snyman added: \u201cWe wanted to go out and play some fantastic rugby and focus on what we could control. The guys played phenomenal rugby and all credit to the team. We just did the simple stuff and played with smiles on our faces today. It\u2019s an amazing feeling representing such an amazing country and the people back home never stopped believing in us and supporting us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Fiji missed the chance to secure the title earlier in the day as they were defeated by a spirited England team in a breath-taking quarter-final. England captain Tom Mitchell finished off a 26 pass move to score in the dying seconds of the match and bring an end to Fiji\u2019s recent dominance which had seen them win the previous four rounds of the series.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fiji recovered to beat Ireland 38-5 and USA 28-7 to finish fifth in Paris and put the pressure on South Africa going in to the final but ultimately it was not enough and the Fijians were forced to settle for series silver, despite winning five of the ten rounds.<\/span><\/p>\n

England produced another powerful performance in the semi-final with a convincing 26-12 victory over Canada to reach their first final of the 2017\/18 series, but they were unable to cope with the Blitzboks in the final as the men from South Africa ran out winners in front of a noisy Paris crowd.<\/span><\/p>\n

Invitational team Ireland\u2019s fine run of form came to an end as they were beaten 19-5 by Canada in the quarter-finals but following their bronze medal performance in London last week the Irish have shown enough promise over the past two rounds to raise expectations of a bright future in Sevens.<\/span><\/p>\n

Argentina won the Challenge Trophy, awarded to the team finishing in ninth position, after overcoming Wales 33-26.<\/span><\/p>\n

Meanwhile, in the Women\u2019s Final, New Zealand finished their World Rugby Women\u2019s Sevens Series campaign in style with a convincing 33-7 win over rivals Australia to take the gold medal.<\/span><\/p>\n

Both teams had reason to celebrate at the final whistle as the silver medal in Paris means Australia secure the overall series crown by virtue of their consistency across the series, finishing on the podium in each of the five rounds. Australia finished the series with 92 points, ahead of New Zealand on 90.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hosts France claimed the series bronze medal despite being defeated 17-10 by Canada in the third-place play-off match in Paris.<\/span><\/p>\n

The exuberant French crowd were treated to a celebratory haka by the Black Ferns Sevens after their dominant display in the Paris final. A five-try haul included series leading try scorer Portia Woodman add two tries to take her personal tally to 43 for the series and 215 points in total.<\/span><\/p>\n

New Zealand captain Sarah Goss also got on the scoresheet and was named Player of the Final.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m so happy with how we\u2019ve gone in this tournament,\u201d she said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt was amazing, especially heading in to the World Cup to keep building momentum. We were a little bit disappointed that we couldn\u2019t win the series but I\u2019m really proud of how the girls have finished off the series. We\u2019ll be going home and working on our preparations for the World Cup in San Francisco because it\u2019s going to be a big one.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

All attention now turns to the Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018 in San Francisco from 20-22 July, where 24 men\u2019s and 16 women\u2019s teams will battle it out to become world champions over three days of exciting action. Over 72,000 tickets have already been sold.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Men\u2019s tournament, Day Two results<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Final<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

England 14-24<\/strong> South Africa<\/span><\/p>\n

Bronze Final<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Canada 05-38<\/strong> New Zealand<\/span><\/p>\n

Fifth place play-off<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Fiji 28-10<\/strong> USA<\/span><\/p>\n

Challenge Trophy Final<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Argentina 33-26<\/strong> Wales<\/span><\/p>\n

13th place play-off<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Kenya 21-20<\/strong> Scotland<\/span><\/p>\n

Cup semi-finals<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

New Zealand 12-24 South Africa<\/span>
\nEngland 26-12 Canada<\/span><\/p>\n

Cup quarter-finals<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

South Africa 15-10 Spain<\/span>
\nUSA 7-33 New Zealand<\/span>
\nIreland 5-19 Canada<\/span>
\nFiji 17-19 England<\/span><\/p>\n

Final World Series standings:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

1 South Africa 182<\/em><\/span><\/strong>
\n2<\/strong> Fiji 180<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\n3<\/strong> New Zealand 150<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\n4<\/strong> Australia 123<\/em><\/span>
\n5<\/strong> England 122<\/em><\/span>
\n6<\/strong> USA 117<\/em><\/span>
\n7<\/strong> Argentina 105<\/em><\/span>
\n8<\/strong> Kenya 104<\/em><\/span>
\n9<\/strong> Canada 76<\/em><\/span>
\n10<\/strong> Samoa 59<\/em><\/span>
\n11<\/strong> Spain 56<\/em><\/span>
\n12<\/strong> Scotland 55<\/em><\/span>
\n13<\/strong> France 53<\/em><\/span>
\n14<\/strong> Wales 49<\/em><\/span>
\n15<\/strong> Ireland 27<\/em><\/span>
\n16<\/strong> Russia 26<\/em><\/span>
\n17<\/strong> Papua New Guinea 6<\/em><\/span>
\n18<\/strong> Uganda 4<\/em><\/span>
\n19<\/strong> Japan 3<\/em><\/span>
\n20<\/strong> Uruguay 2<\/em><\/span>
\n21<\/strong> South Korea 1<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

With thanks to World Rugby<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

–
\n\"fb_follow\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"rhladrr\"<\/a><\/p>\n

–<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Follow @RedefinedRugby South Africa were crowned World Rugby\u2019s 2017\/18 Sevens Series champions after beating England 24-14 in the Paris Sevens Final on Sunday. As the scoreline suggests, the Blitzboks were made to work hard for their victory in the final and their triumph means they retain their World Rugby Sevens Series title. For the first…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":35438,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"Blitzboks retain series title after Paris Sevens triumph\r\nhttps:\/\/wp.me\/p9yf19-9dy","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[4761,4932],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-35436","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-hsbc-sevens-world-series","category-latest-news"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyredefined.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Blitzboks_Paris_Sevens_winners_2018.jpg.jpeg?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p9yf19-9dy","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":32956,"url":"https:\/\/rugbyredefined.com\/wp\/hsbc-sevens-world-series\/2018\/01\/hosts-australia-complete-sydney-sevens-double\/","url_meta":{"origin":35436,"position":0},"title":"Hosts Australia complete Sydney Sevens double","author":"RugbyRedefined","date":"January 29, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Follow @RedefinedRugby Australia\u2019s men secured the Sydney Sevens title, defeating South Africa in the final, a few hours after the women completed the same feat. The hosts dominated both matches, with the men thrashing the Blitzboks 29-0, while the women were comfortable 31-0 victors over New Zealand in the Cup\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Australia"","block_context":{"text":"Australia","link":"https:\/\/rugbyredefined.com\/wp\/category\/australia\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyredefined.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/ML20180128043.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyredefined.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/ML20180128043.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyredefined.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/ML20180128043.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyredefined.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/ML20180128043.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyredefined.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/ML20180128043.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":40879,"url":"https:\/\/rugbyredefined.com\/wp\/hsbc-sevens-world-series\/2023\/01\/argentina-new-zealand-and-usa-the-big-winners-on-road-to-paris-2024\/","url_meta":{"origin":35436,"position":1},"title":"Argentina, New Zealand and USA the big winners on road to Paris 2024","author":"rr_admin","date":"January 24, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"The road to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games took another turn following a pulsating HSBC New Zealand Sevens in Hamilton. New Zealand now lead the way in both the men\u2019s and women\u2019s\u00a0HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series\u00a0standings following four and three tournaments respectively. But heading into Sydney this weekend, that tells\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Argentina"","block_context":{"text":"Argentina","link":"https:\/\/rugbyredefined.com\/wp\/category\/argentina\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyredefined.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/7s2023.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyredefined.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/7s2023.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyredefined.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/7s2023.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyredefined.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/7s2023.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":35430,"url":"https:\/\/rugbyredefined.com\/wp\/hsbc-sevens-world-series\/2018\/06\/new-zealand-win-hsbc-womens-paris-sevens\/","url_meta":{"origin":35436,"position":2},"title":"New Zealand win HSBC Women\u2019s Paris Sevens","author":"rr_admin","date":"June 11, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Follow @RedefinedRugby New Zealand win HSBC Women\u2019s Paris Sevens as Australia take series title New Zealand finished the HSBC World Rugby Women\u2019s Sevens Series in style with a convincing 33-7 win over rivals Australia in the final of the HSBC Women\u2019s Paris Sevens to take the gold medal. 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