All Blacks Sevens fall to rivals Blitzboks in SVNS Vancouver thriller

New Zealand have lost their first match at SVNS Vancouver after falling to rivals South Africa 12-10 in a thrilling Pool B clash at BC Place. In another fierce battle between these long-standing rugby foes, a missed conversion with one minute left was ultimately the difference.

After a ninth-place finish at last month’s HSBC SVNS Series event in Perth, the All Blacks Sevens welcomed back team veteran Joe Webber and speedster Jayden Keelan in a bid to bounce back at the fourth stop of the 2024/25 season.

It was always going to be a tough start for the New Zealanders, who were drawn against South Africa, Australia and Ireland in a pool of death. The Blitzboks are one of three teams who have won men’s titles this season, while the Aussies made the big dance at Perth’s HBF Park.

Catch up on the action from the HSBC SVNS Series on RugbyPass TV, which you can sign up for HERE.

The Boks were first to strike in this pool stage match-up, with youngster Quewin Nortje racing down the left sideline to score the opener in the third minute, but their lead wouldn’t last for long as the All Blacks Sevens hit back soon after.

Tone Ng Shiu helped the New Zealanders march up the field with a long run, and it was fitting to see the Olympian finish off that attacking onslaught by diving over for the team’s first try in the fifth minute. With the conversion missing the mark, the scores were locked at 5-all.

Playmaker Andrew Knewstubb was shown a yellow card late in the first term, and the Blitzboks made the most of their one-man advantage as Ronald Brown crossed for the go-ahead try just before the half-time break. Co-captain Selvyn Davids successfully converted the try as well.

South Africa led 12-5 at the break but to give credit to New Zealand’s defence, they wouldn’t concede another point. Defenders from both teams stood tall throughout the seven minutes, with Knewstubb scoring the only try of the half in the 13th minute.

Knewstubb sent the conversion attempt wide left, though, and that proved the difference in the end.

It was a thrilling contest that certainly lived up to the hype and intensity of this traditional rivalry.

That result had the Boks in a strong position to eventually qualify for the Men’s Cup quarters, and it was the same story for Pool B opponents Australia who recorded a big win over Ireland in their first match of the tournament.

Matthew Gonzalez, Hayden Sargeant and James Turner crossed for a five-pointer each as the men in gold ran away to a convincing lead over a team that has struggled for wins on the SVNS Series so far this season.

Hugo Lenno scored a consolation try for the Irish inside the final minute but it wasn’t enough to trouble the Aussies who are looking to go one better in Vancouver after a one-sided loss in the Men’s Cup final at their home event on January 26.

Earlier on day one, Fiji recorded a dominant 38-12 win over Uruguay. The Uruguayans stunned their highly-favoured opponents in Perth last month, but history wouldn’t repeat in Canada as the SVNS Series heavyweights got their campaign off to an idyllic start.

Spain also recorded a dramatic win over the USA, with a missed conversion in the final play of the match ending the Eagles Sevens’ hopes of sending that contest to extra-time. But, as is the nature of sevens, they won’t have to wait long to take the field for a second time.