By Brenden Nel.
The Springbok Sevens team bowed out of the London Sevens tournament, blowing a 17 point lead as they lost 21-17 to Australia in the quarterfinals.
With it they lost the opportunity to win the World Series with one tournament remaining. Had they finished third or higher they would have automatically claimed the series, but now will have to wait until the final tournament in Los Angeles in August before the title will be settled.
After impressing in the opening pool games and winning a tough pool, all was set for them to head into the playoffs and they started exceptionally well, running in three tries to lead 17-0.
Captain Siviwe Soyizwapi, Muller du Plessis and Ronald Brown all scored first half tries as the Blitzboks dominated and didn’t give the Aussies the ball.
Australia scored just before halftime through Ben Dowling and suddenly in the second half the Blitzboks were hit by a string of penalties.
Australia scored twice through Henry Paterson to take the lead, but then a head-high shot on Du Plessis, which saw him stretchered off the field, was considered only a penalty.
While Du Plessis was heading towards ground, most refs give an automatic yellow for that, but like every other second half call, it favoured Australia and they held out for the win.
The Blitzboks can only finish as high as fifth if they win their next two matches, which starts with the fifth place semifinal at 3.36pm against Spain.