Blitzboks are tops

The Blitzboks were again crowned Nelson Mandela Bay champions after beating old enemy New Zealand 26-17 in another final for the ages.

The Blitzboks also won in Dubai three weeks ago, but this title is always special.

The feeling here throughout the weekend was that coach Neil Powell has a stronger team on his hands than the one that won the IRB Sevens World Series title in 2009, of which he was an integral part.

There was always the lingering probability of the Blitzboks meeting New Zealand, whom they've faced in the previous two editions of this tournament.

And so it proved they would meet again for another epic final, after New Zealand defeated the US and Argentina to get to the final and South Africa did for England and Australia.

Nerves marked the start of the final itself and they manifested themselves in Seabelo Senatla's early misplaced pass that gave New Zealand a lineout in dangerous territory. Sherwin Stowers capitalised in the corner.

But unlike last year, when the Blitzboks allowed New Zealand to go two tries up before punching back, they retaliated through Philip Snyman before Cecil Afrika made it 12-5 with a minute to the break.

The match was tense, made more so by Afrika getting sin-binned on half-time. Tim Mikkelson took advantage and scored in the corner.

It wasn't the first time during the day that the Blitzboks had the fans worried. They beat England 31-7 in the quarterfinals, but Australia refused to go quietly in the semifinal. It called for character, composure and for captain Kyle Brown to come on for Frankie Horne. In the end they got through 19-10.

The second half of the final demanded a Senatla special and it got one two minutes after the restart.

With five minutes left Joe Webber scored to make it a two-point game once more. However, Kwagga Smith scored the try that ensured that South Africa, 26-17 up with less than a minute to go, could not lose.