Duarttee’s double not enough as Blitzboks fall to Great Britain in Bordeaux thriller

Ricky Duarttee scored two tries against Great Britain as the Blitzboks lost their Bordeax Sevens opener against Great Britian on Friday. Ricky Duarttee went from hero to villain asthe Blitzboksopened their SVNS World Championship campaign in Bordeauxwith a 19-14 golden-point defeat to Great Britain in a fiercely contested Pool A clash at Stade de Bordeaux on Friday. The versatile playmaker was central to South Africa’s stirring comeback after they were overwhelmed by an intense start from a Great Britain side fighting to retain their top-flight status.

Philip Snyman’s men arrived in Bordeaux atop the standings on 38 points after winning in Hong Kong and finishing runners-up to Australia in Valladolid last weekend.As had been the case in both those tournaments, however, they endured another sluggish start and were forced to chase the game after Great Britain struck first with two unanswered tries. Philip Snyman’s men arrived in Bordeaux atop the standings on 38 points after winning in Hong Kong and finishing runners-up to Australia in Valladolid last weekend. As had been the case in both those tournaments, however, they endured another sluggish start and were forced to chase the game after Great Britain struck first with two unanswered tries.

The Blitzboks spent much of the opening exchanges pinned inside their own half and suffered an early setback when forward Jayden Nell was forced from the field on a stretcher after an injury. But Duarttee sparked the South African revival with two moments of individual brilliance either side of half-time. With Great Britain reduced to six players after a yellow card, Tricky Ricky stepped through the defence with quick feet after the hooter to score, before converting his own try to reduce the deficit to 14-7 at the break.