The French team etched their names in the annals of rugby sevens history the previous weekend in Dubai, achieving a resounding 59-7 triumph over Argentina, marking one of the most commanding displays ever witnessed on the HSBC SVNS Series stage – but the rematch between these two teams just seven days later unfolded with a markedly contrasting narrative.
This prior victory represented France’s highest-scoring effort against Argentina in the SVNS Series, and only the fifth instance of Los Pumas Sevens conceding 50 or more points in a single match. However, the dynamic nature of the world’s premier sevens circuit provides frequent opportunities to avenge prior setbacks.
With both Les Bleus Sevens and Los Pumas Sevens securing initial victories in Cape Town, their Pool B encounter held the key to a semi-final berth. Both squads possessed pre-game confidence, but Argentina wasted little time in asserting their presence.
Santiago Vera Feld and Luciano Gonzalez each crossed the try line within the opening four minutes of the match, before France responded through Ali Dabo just before the interval. Argentina carried a seven-point advantage into the half-time break, and they would further extend their lead early in the second period.
Gonzalez, the reigning SVNS Series Player of the Year, capitalized on a well-executed kick pass from Santiago Mare. Gonzalez skillfully gathered the ball before exhibiting impressive speed and agility, evading multiple defenders on his way to scoring.
Martiniano Arrieta contributed what ultimately proved to be Los Pumas Sevens’ final try of the match in the tenth minute, placing them in a commanding position – yet with a considerable amount of time remaining, France still had an opportunity to mount a comeback, and they certainly gave it their best shot.
Jordan Sepho and Enahemo Artaud scored tries in rapid succession, narrowing the deficit to a mere five points with less than a minute left on the clock. France needed to execute flawlessly in their attempt to snatch victory, but ultimately, it was not meant to be, as Argentina resolutely held on to secure a significant win.
“We invested effort throughout the week; for us, this tournament represented a new beginning,” Gonzalez commented post-match on RugbyPass TV.
Earlier on the first day in Cape Town, the hometown team, South Africa, conveyed a clear message with a hard-fought 24-21 victory over Fiji. Shilton van Wyk emerged as the hero for the Blitzboks, securing a hat-trick of tries, including the decisive match-winning score as time expired.
Following their capture of the first Cup title of the season in Dubai, the All Blacks Sevens initiated their pursuit of another trophy in impressive fashion, recording a convincing 29-12 triumph over Great Britain. Frank Vaenuku scored two critical tries as the New Zealand team established control.
Argentina recorded a commanding 36-0 victory against Australia, the Dubai Sevens finalists, with Gonzalez and Marcos Moneta contributing to the try-scoring in that Pool B contest. Before that match, France accomplished their objective with a 19-14 victory against Spain in an exciting match.
