The 20-year-old Mtshali scored his first try in a Blitzbok jersey on Saturday night in Dubai, but almost missed this very significant milestone in his short sevens career.
Rising from the dead is an art newly perfected by the Blitzboks, who recovered from a tough season in which they won only 12 of 30 matches to nail six out of six in Dubai at the weekend.
Their timing couldn’t have been better because the Blitzboks have now gone from pariahs to the hottest ticket in town – just in time for this week’s Cape Town Sevens. A key decision in turning it around was the decision of head coach Sandile Ngcobo to bring through younger talent.
One of them was Masande Mtshali. The 20-year-old scored his first try in a Blitzbok jersey on Saturday night in Dubai, but almost missed this very significant milestone in his short sevens career.
The Blitzboks are well-known for mobbing a player when he scores his first try, but for Mtshali, it was different as he seemed oblivious to what normally follows. He raced to pick up the ball he left behind the try line, passed it to Ronald Brown for the conversion and raced back to the halfway line for the next play, almost out-sprinting those who came to celebrate with him.
He had to wait a year, but when he finally touched down for the #Blitzboks, Masande Mtshali scored not one, but two very significant tries – more here: https://t.co/tKlKNkf6pc 🤩#PoweredByUnity pic.twitter.com/nxExow7ZCF
— Springbok Sevens (@Blitzboks) December 4, 2023
The try was sublime. Trailing New Zealand by five points in their Pool A decider, Selvyn Davids caught the Kiwis napping from a restart. He put in a grubber and retrieved the ball himself, but was held on the floor by the New Zealand defence.
Davids quickly regained his footing, took the quick tap and set off towards the try line. He found Brown in support, who found Mtshali on a superb line, with the former Junior Bok winger racing through to score between the sticks.
Suddenly, the scores were tied and Brown’s conversion, with time running out, sealed a first victory over the Kiwis in five outings.
The next day, Mtshali was at it again. In their semi-final against Fiji, scores were tied at 7-7 late in the match. Rosko Specman kicked ahead and a good chase followed, with Mtshali leading the charge. The Fijian sweeper fumbled and Mtshali was in for his second match-winner.
Reflecting on the game, the former Grey High School pupil said he did not realise when he scored how crucial the try was.
“I did not know that we were going ahead after that play,” he said afterwards, smiling. “That is why I rushed back to get into position for the restart. Only then I realised that we are ahead on the scoreboard.
“Scoring my first try against New Zealand was also special, as they are the current series champions and had one over us in the last couple of matches. That was a good feeling. I have worked hard to make the team and the try was a good reward.”
Meanwhile, the draw has been made for the men’s and women’s events at the Cape Town Sevens. The Blitzboks will run out in the Mother City as the top seeds for the tournament in Pool A, with Ireland, USA and Great Britain their opponents in what promises to be an action-packed day of sevens rugby at the Cape Town Stadium.
In the men’s competition, Dubai runners-up Argentina will face Fiji, France and Spain in Pool B, while defending champions Samoa will face old foes New Zealand, as well as Australia and Canada in Pool C.
The Springbok Women’s Sevens team finished in a commendable 10th position in Dubai after being pipped by Japan in the ninth-place final. They will face France, Canada and the USA in Pool C, in what will be a daunting day for the home side.
