The Forward Foundation’s News24 Forward Faster Sevens Invitational tournament got its dream final on Sunday (3 November).
The South African men’s 7s team successfully defended their 2023 title by defeating the tournament host’s team Score Forward Legends 24-12 in Stellenbosch.
Forwards Legend played in their first final after failing to qualify for last year’s final by dropping out at the semi-final stage.
This year they showed grit and determination by going all the way to the main dance, along with great fighting spirit against the Olympic Games bronze medallists, as Jaymien Anthony’s first-half try and Austin Prins scoring the Forward Legends’ second five-pointer close the end, ensured an entertaining end to two days of action at Paul Roos Gymnasium’s Markötter Fields.
The Blitzboks would, however, have too much class for the Forwards Legends as Siviwe Soyizwapi opened the scoring and Shilton van Wyk bagged a double to secure a 21-7 lead.
Ryan Oosthuizen extended the national team’s lead in the second half before Forward Legends made sure they had the last say with Prins’ try with less than a minute left.
Although his side conceded two tries in the final after winning their quarter-final and semi-final without conceding, Blitzboks coach Philip Snyman would certainly be happy that his side was tested as they prepare for the start of the new World Rugby SVNS Series season that starts in December.
Snyman’s charges were, however, not the only ones to be crowned champions on the day as JSA were the inaugural winners of the News24 Forward Faster u-17 invitational tournament after beating Hoërskool Bellville 19-5 in the final.
Meanwhile, Forward Legends’ Leswin Love was named the Player of the Tournament and SA All Stars player Lian Jordaan walked away with the award for the best backline player.
Macassar Rugby Club’s Darren Alexander won the Forward of the Tournament award. All three individual award winners were selected in the Tournament Dream Team selected by former Blitzboks Branco du Preez, Ruhan Nel and Sandile Ngcobo as well as Forward Foundation coach Zhuan Booysen.
The News24 Forward Faster Dream Team is: Christiaan Botha (SA All Stars); Darren Alexander (Macassar); Sipho Hobosch (Score Forward Legends); Sherwin Cupido (Gel Squad); Leswin Love (Score Forward Legends); Peter Williams (Gel Squad); and Lian Jordaan (SA All Stars).
