South Africa sevens victory revives memories of Mandela
Hosts come from 0-14 down to defeat old foes New Zealand 17-14
Reviving emotional memories of Nelson Mandela’s great sporting gesture, South Africa beat New Zealand in another rugby final in a stadium named after the former president.
The South Africans will not care a bit that the sevens game is less prestigious than the 15-man World Cup they famously lifted with the help of Mandela in 1995, as they came from 14-0 behind on Sunday to beat their old foe 17-14 in the deciding game of their home world series event.
Riding a wave of emotion during the two-day event after Mandela’s death on Thursday, South Africa had to dig deep after a second-minute try for New Zealand by Scott Curry and another early score by Sherwin Stowers, the first points the South Africans conceded in three games.
It has been an emotional few days and I was hoping we could put a smile on everyone’s faces
Branco du Preez went over twice to bring South Africa within two points by the end of the first half, and captain Kyle Brown completed the win in the second half as he broke a New Zealand tackle and scampered away for the deciding score.
South Africa was marking a day of prayer and reflection on Sunday in respect for the death of Mandela, yet the crowd celebrated the triumph loudly and fittingly at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in his home Eastern Cape province.
“This crowd has been unbelievable all weekend,” South Africa captain Brown said in a television interview. “It has been an emotional few days and I was hoping we could put a smile on everyone’s faces after a tough few days. The composure from the guys was brilliant.”
South Africa had to face up to a stern test from the three-time series defending champion New Zealand, who made a rapid start with Curry bundling his way over and Stowers showing searing pace to outstrip the defenders three minutes later.