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Cape Town - Blitzbokke coach Paul Treu is reasonably satisfied after his side claimed third spot at the Gold Coast Sevens.
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The South Africans won the bronze medal match after defeating Australia 17-5 on Saturday.
Earlier on Saturday, the Blitzbokke were crushed 24-7 in the semi-finals by eventual champions Fiji, who defeated New Zealand 26-12 in the Cup final.
“We are disappointed that we could not protect our ball much better against Fiji, who was clearly the best side on day two.
"However, there were many positives over the two days for us. Robert (Ebersohn) did well in his first outing for us in two years, Chase Minnaar played for the first time in a year while Renfred Dazel is fully fit and played with no ill effects from his knee injury which has kept him out since the Las Vegas tournament last season.
“We already started much better than last season, when we somehow could not get going from the beginning - I think that is the most pleasing aspect of the weekend for us. We now have 17 points and for us that is a reasonably good start. It is a long way to go, there are eight more tournaments remaining and now we need to regroup and prepare for Dubai,” said Treu.
Treu also said star playmaker Cecil Afrika, who injured his ribs during the pool stages on Friday, will remain with the team and travel to Dubai for next weekend's tournament.
The Sevens World Series log after round one in Australia:
1. Fiji 22 points
2. New Zealand 19
3. South Africa 17
4. Australia 15
5. Wales 13
6. Samoa 12
7. England 10
8. France 10
9. Argentina 8
WIN a Signed Springbok RWC Jersey
The South Africans won the bronze medal match after defeating Australia 17-5 on Saturday.
Earlier on Saturday, the Blitzbokke were crushed 24-7 in the semi-finals by eventual champions Fiji, who defeated New Zealand 26-12 in the Cup final.
“We are disappointed that we could not protect our ball much better against Fiji, who was clearly the best side on day two.
"However, there were many positives over the two days for us. Robert (Ebersohn) did well in his first outing for us in two years, Chase Minnaar played for the first time in a year while Renfred Dazel is fully fit and played with no ill effects from his knee injury which has kept him out since the Las Vegas tournament last season.
“We already started much better than last season, when we somehow could not get going from the beginning - I think that is the most pleasing aspect of the weekend for us. We now have 17 points and for us that is a reasonably good start. It is a long way to go, there are eight more tournaments remaining and now we need to regroup and prepare for Dubai,” said Treu.
Treu also said star playmaker Cecil Afrika, who injured his ribs during the pool stages on Friday, will remain with the team and travel to Dubai for next weekend's tournament.
The Sevens World Series log after round one in Australia:
1. Fiji 22 points
2. New Zealand 19
3. South Africa 17
4. Australia 15
5. Wales 13
6. Samoa 12
7. England 10
8. France 10
9. Argentina 8
