1
Gripping late drama sees Springboks, Belgium win Challenger titles
By Liam Heagney
The second leg of the Sevens Challenger Series in Stellenbosch provided a dramatic denouement on Sunday, South Africa producing a buzzer-beating try to defeat Belgium in the women’s final and clinch qualification for next season’s revamped World Rugby Series while the Belgian men clung on to pip Tonga in their final.
The buzzer had already sounded when the Springboks – trailing 14-12 at the time – were awarded a penalty just metres from the Belgian line. They opted for the scrum and going the set-piece route proved to be the correct decision as the ball was worked wide to enable Libby Janse van Rensburg to dive over for the decisive score.
South Africa would still have qualified for the World Series if the Belgians had hung on in the dying seconds to be crowned second-leg champions. Both teams would have finished with 38 aggregate tournament points each and the tiebreaker would have been points difference across the two weekends, a category that favoured the host nation.
However, by scoring the winning try with the final play of the tournament, South Africa now go forward into the World Rugby Series as Challenger Series champions in both the first and second legs.
They led 12-0 at the break in the second leg final courtesy of tries from Sizophila Solontsi and Ayanda Malinga, only to fall two points behind after Belgium’s Cecile Blondiau scored two converted tries.
South Africa struck back decisively, however, to take the second-leg title, something that first-leg men’s champions Tonga were unable to achieve in their section. In beating Germany 33-26 in the semi-final, the Tongans were crowned aggregate Challenger Series champions, an honour that secured them a playoff play at the London 7s next month where they will compete to get on next season’s elite World Rugby circuit.
However, they exited Stellenbosch without winning the second leg tournament as an unfancied Belgium came out of the blocks quickly and a late try-scoring Tongan surge wasn’t enough to deny the Europeans their 28-26 title-sealing win.
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Ex-Wallaby explains why All Blacks aren’t at ‘panic stations’
3
Leinster player ratings vs Connacht | 2024/25 URC
4
Fissler Confidential: One England international in, one out for Bath
5
Latest Comments
Hopefully Joe stays where he is. That would mean Les, McKellar, larkham and Cron should as well. It’s the stability we need in the state programs. But, if Joe goes, RA with its current financial situation will be forced into promoting from within. And this will likely destabilise other areas.
To better understand some of the entrenched bitterness of those outside of NZ and NSW (as an example 😂), Nic, there is probably a comparison to the old hard heads of welsh rugby who are still stuck in the 1970s. Before the days where clubs merged, professionalism started, and the many sharp knives were put into the backs of those who loved the game more than everyone else. I’m sure you know a few... But given your comparison of rugby in both wales and Australia, there are a few north of the tweed that will never trust a kiwi or NSWelshman because of historical events and issues over the history of the game. It is what it is. For some, time does not heal all wounds. And it is still festering away in some people. Happy holidays to you. All the best in 2025.
Go to commentsNot surprised to see Barretts rating. He has always been a solid defender for the ABs but not particularly effective in attack situations.
Go to comments