Stand-in Blitzboks captain Impi Visser says he believes that his team “just wanted it more” after winning their sixth straight World Series tournament final in Seville, Spain, at the weekend.
The reigning Series champions beat Australia 33-7 in the final of the Seville tournament on Sunday evening to claim their fourth title in the 2022 season and equalled the second-longest streak of all time, set by New Zealand’s 2001-02 team, with 34 straight wins.
The South Africans reigned supreme in Vancouver and Edmonton in the 2021 season, and continued their dominance by doubling up on tournament gold medals in Dubai, before making a clean sweep in Malaga and Seville - the first World Series tournaments to be held in Spain.
Visser - who took over the captaincy from Siviwe Soyizwapi after he was injured in Malaga last week - praised the side for how they delivered despite the setback. The team also lost Branco du Preez against Scotland due to injury, while Justin Geduld was stretchered off in the final against Australia.
“Early in the game we lost a few guys to injury, and I think the guys just stuck to the game plan. A few things didn’t go the way we wanted it to go, but I think the guys really worked hard for each other and stuck it out,” Visser said.
The emotions were close to the surface for victorious @Blitzboks captain Impi Visser after his team won yet another #HSBC7s title#Spain7s pic.twitter.com/d3d5r1Zudm
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) January 30, 2022
“I think everybody in this team just wants it more than the other teams, I think we have something special in this team. Not to be arrogant. But we believe in each other and we believe in the system.
“We always knew it was going to be a tough game (the final against Australia). So we are just happy that we could fill those spots, especially with Justin being injured so early in the game. The guys did well to adapt and pull through.”
In their pool games, the Blitzboks had to come from behind against Spain and the USA, and in the quarter-final against Scotland, they also orchestrated a comeback. Ultimately, they showed just why they are the best in the world as they hit their straps in the Cup semi-final against Ireland before claiming a hard-fought win over Australia in the final.
“It is pretty emotional for us, we had to dig deep,” Visser said.
It’s party time for the @Blitzboks! #Spain7s | #HSBC7s | #HowWeSevens pic.twitter.com/zKZyjxYIyw
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) January 30, 2022
“They (Australia) are a tough team to play against, credit to them. I think our boys just grafted a bit more and in the end, we wanted it a bit more.”
“This was a win that tested our character and resilience, and it is a feeling of relief and pride to know that we stood firm against some very good teams out there,” added Visser.
With the result in Seville, the Blitzboks moved 18 points clear on the overall standings. They now lead the World Series on 88 points. Argentina (70), Australia (66) and USA (55) fill out the other top spots, but given the Blitzboks’ sensational form, it’s unlikely that they’ll be able to catch up to the South Africans in the remaining tournaments in Singapore, Vancouver, Toulouse, London and Los Angeles.
The World Sevens Series now takes a break until April, when the men will head to Singapore and Vancouver in consecutive weekends over April 9/10 and 17/18.
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