'Proteas' party after triumph

Down in South Africa the Springbok is now pushing up daisies – sorry, Proteas – as it was decided after much debate to officially change the logo of rugby World Champions South Africa this week.

Somehow, it doesn't feel right to have a flower as the logo of a rugby team. Yes, I know England and Scotland do, but I am pretty certain deep-down those big, muscle-bound giants must feel slightly embarrassed in being called 'Roses' or 'Thistles'.

It kind of restricts headline writing a bit too: "Proteas bloom as Roses wilt" is not going to get too many sports fans rushing to buy a paper.

On a more serious note though, it is a sad moment that after 102 years of South African rugby they will finally not be known as the Springboks. It has been the symbol of their greatest sports successes as they captured the 1995 and 2007 World Cups.

This is perhaps another example why politics should not get mixed with sports, but that said: what must be done, must be done – so let me be among the first to congratulate the Proteas on winning the Rugby World Cup last year.

And their Sevens team for the Dubai triumph last weekend. Now that was some win by the South Africans. Both semi-finals and final must rank up there as the most exciting finishes ever in Sevens history.

England showed they can never be underestimated and hit tournament favourites New Zealand with everything they had in the first semi-final. Tries from Rob Vickerman, Ollie Phillips and Josua Drauniniu – all converted by Phillips – put them 21-0 up at the break.

But eight-time IRB Sevens winners New Zealand fought back in the second half and England bravely hang on to eventually win a pulsating affair 21-19.

In the other semi-final Fiji looked all set to progress to the final before a late South African try converted by captain Mzwandile Stick levelled affairs at 7-7 and took the match into sudden-death extra-time. Stick then calmly slotted over a 40 metre drop goal to send the 'Proteas' into the final.

The South Africans were out of the blocks first in the final with the impressive Robert Ebersohn – watch out for that name in future 15s sides – dotting down from close range and Mpho Mbiyozo putting them 12-0 up at the interval.

England were the ones fighting back with Tom Biggs [unconverted try] and Micky Young levelling matters late on in the game.

Then, with Ben Ryan's team looking to have the advantage as they camped on the South African line with seconds left, Gio Aplon dispossessed Briggs and sprinted 80 metres up field before sportingly passing the ball to Ryno Benjamin who dotted down.

It was South Africa's third win here and their second in three years. In fact judging by the support they received here they might want to call Dubai their home ground considering they have never won their own tournament in George.

The rugby was a real treat for the 50,000 sell-out crowd and even the Arabian Gulf side managed to win their first game in two years – a 22-12 win over Georgia.