With DHL Stadium rumbling like a scrum about to explode, the Springbok Sevens kept their composure, scoring four tries to France’s three to book a date with Argentina in the HSBC SVNS Cape Town final at 16:43.

Shilton van Wyk struck first, darting down the left touchline in the opening minute as effortlessly as a winger slipping through the Cape Town wind. His second, a 60-metre sprint from the restart, was pure sevens opportunism.

“We backed our speed and our discipline from the start, and it paid off in the big moments,” Van Wyk said.

Tristan Leyds added a gem of his own, catching France napping after they were penalised at the ruck.

With a quick tap and a gliding stride, he stretched the lead to 10-0, “just trusting my instinct and the space in front of me,” as he later explained.

But France, stubborn as a ruck gate that won’t budge, clawed back through Jordan Sepho before Bouhier pounced twice, each time reading the bounce like a seasoned gambler, as Les Bleus dragged the scores level early in the second half.

Just when momentum threatened to swing in full French favour, Ryan Oosthuizen turned the tide with a turnover deep in the visitors’ 22, crashing over to restore the Blitzboks’ lead.

“We spoke all week about winning the fight on the ground. That moment was massive for us,” Oosthuizen said.

France earned one last free kick, but the Blitzboks’ defensive line locked together like a steel door slammed shut, sealing their place in Sunday’s final.

A breathless finish. A bruising battle. A Blitzbok performance dripping with resilience, rhythm and ruthless finishing, everything a Cape Town sevens crowd could ask for.

SCORERS

Springbok Sevens 22 (17)
Tries: Shilton van Wyk (2), Tristan Leyds, Ryan Oosthuizen
Conversion: Ricardo Duarttee

France 17 (12)
Tries: Jordan Sepho, Josselin Bouhier (2)
Conversion: Stephen Parez Edo Martin