Neil Powell’s tenure as Springbok Sevens head coach ended with a win as the Blitzboks powered to a seventh-place playoff victory over Samoa in Cape Town on Sunday.

The Blitzboks saved their best performance of the tournament for last as the hosts scored five tries to win 35-5 and secure a seventh-place Sevens World Cup finish, sending outgoing Powell off on a high note.

It may not have been the World Cup trophy that that the Blitzboks had their eyes set on before the tournament, but it was still a performance befitting Powell’s 10-year tenure over the team.

From minute one, South Africa was on top of their game as they scored through Sako Makata and never relented, taking a 21-0 lead into the break.

Arguably for the first time in the tournament, the Blitzboks matched intensity and accuracy, extending their lead in the second half through captain Siviwe Soyizwapi, before JC Pretorius grabbed a try after winning the ball back at the breakdown.

While Samoa did manage to score a try in the final play, it would be a consolation and Powell would get a standing ovation from the Cape Town Stadium crowd after the match.

Photo: Anton Geyser/Gallo Images