Davids magic gives BlitzBoks gold ... again

DAY THREE WRAP: The inaugural Spain leg of the Sevens World Series provided a weekend to remember in Málaga, as South Africa needed a late try to come out on top in an engrossing Final.

South Africa pipped Argentina to the gold medal thanks to the efforts of player of the FSelvyn Davids, who surged over the try line after the buzzer to clinch a thrilling 24-17 win.

The BlitzBoks have now won all three Series events this season, and five tournaments in a row, while their victory over the battling Pumas marked the third best winning streak of all time with a 29th straight victory.

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BLITZBOKS LEAVE IT LATE

South Africa have looked unbeatable at times during their imperious recent form, and went into their fifth consecutive Cup Final as big favourites, after conceding only one try all weekend in Málaga.

But Argentina, competing in their first Cup Final for five years, immediately sent a message of intent when Rodrigo Isgro crossed the try line early on, before the BlitzBoks struck back with a quick-witted tap-and-go from Davids.

JC Pretorius extended South Africa’s lead after the break, but the game was flipped on its head in the space of an astonishing minute.

Joaquin De La Vega scored a try, before notching another direct from the restart less than 60 seconds later, after gathering a fumbled effort to collect the kick-off and powering over the line.

The BlitzBoks reduced the deficit when Justin Geduld went over in the corner, but the conversion fell agonizingly short and left the Series leaders two points down with one minute remaining.

Davids burst through the defence to win it, evading a desperate tackle from Marcos Moneta to get over the line and spark joyous celebrations.

“We knew it was going to be tough here. We gave it our all, stuck to our instructions and played as ourselves,” said Davids.

All the results

Cup Final: Argentina 17-24 South Africa

Third place: Australia 20-24 England

Fifth place: United States 12-28 France

Ninth place: 34-5 Wales

Thirteenth place: Jamaica 24-29 Japan

Cup semifinals

South Africa 19-0 Australia

England 17-26 Argentina

Fifth-place semifinals

Canada 7-19 United States

France 20-10 Ireland

Ninth-place semifinals

Scotland 10-24 Spain

Germany 19-27 Wales

Thirteenth-place semifinals

Jamaica 0-0 Fiji

Kenya 17-26 Japan

Cup quarterfinals

South Africa 14-0 Canada

United States 7-26 Australia

France 5-12 England

Ireland 5-29 Argentina

Ninth-place quarterfinals

Scotland 17-12 Kenya

Spain 31-10 Japan

Germany 48-0 Jamaica

Wales 0-0 Fiji

Source: @WorldRugby7s