Boks flop, but Bobby is ready to bounce back
Mar del Plata - South Africa crashed out of the World Cup Sevens rugby tournament on Sunday night, losing in the quarterfinals to Argentina, who were beaten in the semis by the winners, New Zealand.
But Bobby Skinstad emerged unscathed from the defeat, declaring himself "chuffed" with the five games he played here.
"Now it's for the next step ... the Stormers warm-up match (against South Western Districts)," he said. It is not clear, however, if Skinstad will play on Friday in the friendly at George. Coach Alan Solomons is likely to rest Skinstad and Breyton Paulse.
Other encouraging signs from the South African team were the performances of Paulse, Andre Pretorius and Helgard Brink. Paulse scored five tries in the tournament and Pretorius, one of the Cats' flyhalves, was South Africa's find of the tournament.
The player who stood out, however, was Jonah Lomu, who set up New Zealand's 31-12 victory over Australia.
"He used us as speed-bumps and there wasn't much we could do about it," said Australian captain Richard Graham of Lomu's performance.
The Australians caused a major upset in beating Fiji to reach the final.
Australia produced the top try-scorer of the tournament in Brendan Williams, a lightning-quick wing, who scored 14 touchdowns. He was followed by Fiji's Rupeni Caucau on 11. Aussie coach Glen Ella said Williams had the potential to become one of the best sevens players in the world.
The Springboks drew some inspiration from their mere presence in the play-offs. Coach Norman Mbiko said the exposure the World Cup had given sevens in South Africa had gone a long way to promoting the game.
"We are disappointed that we could not improve on our performance of 1997 (when South Africa lost in the final to Fiji) but I believe sevens is alive in South Africa again," said Mbiko after South Africa had lost 14-12 to Argentina in the quarters.
South Africa's next sevens assignment is in Wellington, New Zealand, next month where the Boks take part in the International Rugby Board's series. The Brisbane leg of the series was stripped of official status because of the Australian government's refusal to grant visas to Fiji.
South Africa's narrow quarter-final defeat last night came amid a cacophony of home-team support from the crowd of around 30 000 in the Jose Maria Minella Stadium.
South African scored first with Paulse collecting a perfect pass from Pretorius. Brink scored a second try, which Pretorius converted for the Boks to lead 12-0. The Pumas, however, hit back with Agustin Pichot and Felipe Contepomi combining to reduce South Africa's lead to five points.
Seconds later Contepomi fooled Paul Treu with a dummy pass and scored Argentina's second try, also kicking the conversion to give Argentina a two-point lead at the break. There was no score in the second half.
"We had our chances and blew them," said Mbiko. "Argentina came through because they had fantastic support from their home fans."
Fiji, who were expected to successfully defend their crown, failed to capitalise on a 14-0 lead and allowed Australia to score two quick tries through Williams and captain Richard Graham. Julian Huxley's conversion reduced Fiji's half-time lead to two points. Graham's second and Robert McDonald's tries in the second half sealed Australia's final berth.
Quarterfinals:
Fiji 21 Canada 5
Australia 33 England 5
South Africa 12 Argentina 14
New Zealand 45 Samoa 7
Semi-finals:
Fiji 14 Australia 22
New Zealand 31 Argentina 7
Final:
New Zealand 31 Australia 12