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Maties part of victorious SA Student 7s team
Author: Maties Sport Media
Published: 26/07/2018

​The SA Student Sevens Men's team won the FISU World University Rugby Sevens Championships in Swakopmund recently, beating the defending champions, Australia, twice in the process.

Three Maties Rugby players – James Murphy, Duncan Saal and Impi Visser – were part of the winning squad.

Three capped Blitzboks, the captain Rhyno Smith, Murphy and WJ Strydom, were part of the side and their experience counted in the Namibian desert.

SA started the tournament with a massive 66-0 victory in their pool opener against China, after which they beat Australia by 26-14, setting up a quarter-final clash against Malaysia. Smith and his team dispatched the Malaysians by 54-0 and then met France in the semi-final, a match in which the South Africans had to dig deep to win by 14-12. The final was against Australia and the score line was similar to the score in their pool match, with the SA Students coming out on top by 24-14 to claim the silverware.

“It was the most incredible experience. Not only winning the tournament and being part of the South African team, but also getting the opportunity to play with some amazing Sevens players. I enjoyed the tournament for the action on the field, but the off-the-field bonds made it even more special," said Saal.

“I learnt so much about the game of Sevens that I can use in my 15 man-game as well. It was such a privilege to play for my country. Winning gold was special. I will forever treasure the moment and the medal. It's not every day you can win gold for your country and I will never forget that feeling. Not being a regular Sevens player, I found the tournament extremely challenging on a physical and mental level, but I enjoyed every moment."

Murphy made his Blitzboks debut this year. “It was an amazing experience. No matter on what level…whenever you get the opportunity to represent your country it is a massive privilege. It has always been one of my goals to play in this tournament. It is an honour to win a gold medal for South Africa."

The event was the first International University Sports Federation rugby sevens competition to be hosted in Africa.