Discipline cost the Blitzboks the bronze at the HSBC SVNS Perth with a 07-14 loss to Spain. Two yellow cards to the Blizboks were eventually the difference between the two teams.
The Blitzboks had a horrible start to the 3rd place playoff against Spain. First Shilton van Wyk and Ronald Brown were shown yellow cards and then with five players on the field, they conceded a try after time was up in the first half to go into the halftime break trailing 07-00.
With four minutes to play in the second half, Selvyn Davids beat several defenders with his speed to score a try, levelling the scores 07-07.
However, brilliant interplay and handling by Spain gave them a seven-point lead when Jaime Manteca scored Spain's second try with a minute to play.
Spain deservedly won bronze with a 14-07 win over the Blitzboks.
Scorers:
Bitzboks: Tries: Selvyn Davids. Conversions: Ronald Brown.
Spain: Try: Eduardo Lopez, Jaime Manteca. Conversions: Juan Ramos, Jaime Manteca.
Teams:
Blitzboks: Quewin Nortje, Ryan Oosthuizen, Shilton van Wyk, David Brits, Ronald Brown, Ricardo Duarttee, Impi Visser. Replacements: Donovan Don, Siviwe Soyizwapi, Selvyn Davids.
Spain: Juan Ramos, Angel Bozal, Josep Serres, Alejandro Laforga, Tobias Sainz- Trapaga, Anton Legorbury Anso, Eduardo Lopez. Replacements: Francisco Cosculluela, Manu Moreno, Pol Pla, Jeremy Trevithick, Jaime Manteca.