Delport said the efforts earlier on Friday, where the South Africans edged Tribe Sevens - an Australian invitational team - and then beat Japan's Academy side, was proof that the decision to blood six new players at the event was the correct one.
“ We came here to learn as much we can, so for the squad to perform the way they did was pleasing.”
Said Delport. “Our performance against the Australians was a proper one, as they had some players in their squad that had played in the HSBC World Rugby Women's Seven Series before. We certainly stepped up in that one.”
“Our second match, against the Japanese Academy side, was our best performances on attack and we scored a number of good tries.”
The final was against the Japan national side, who were demoted out of the World Series at the end of the 2017/18 season.
“To be honest, I really wanted us to make a statement against them, but unfortunately, we did not really pitch up for that one. The defeat hurt, but it was another lesson learned.”
Delport said their presence at the tournament would benefit the squad on the long run.
“We needed to test our depth and see who could play at a higher level, and I got some answers on that,” said Delport.
“We are not quite where Japan is – and credit to them - who came here with three teams and had all three in the final four, but we can definitely take the next step from here.”
Friday's results at the Emirates Airline Dubai Sevens:
SA 22-12 Tribe 7s (Cup quarterfinals)
SA 40-5 Japan Academy (Cup Semi-finals)
SA 7-31 Japan (Cup Final)
“ We came here to learn as much we can, so for the squad to perform the way they did was pleasing.”
Said Delport. “Our performance against the Australians was a proper one, as they had some players in their squad that had played in the HSBC World Rugby Women's Seven Series before. We certainly stepped up in that one.”
“Our second match, against the Japanese Academy side, was our best performances on attack and we scored a number of good tries.”
The final was against the Japan national side, who were demoted out of the World Series at the end of the 2017/18 season.
“To be honest, I really wanted us to make a statement against them, but unfortunately, we did not really pitch up for that one. The defeat hurt, but it was another lesson learned.”
Delport said their presence at the tournament would benefit the squad on the long run.
“We needed to test our depth and see who could play at a higher level, and I got some answers on that,” said Delport.
“We are not quite where Japan is – and credit to them - who came here with three teams and had all three in the final four, but we can definitely take the next step from here.”
Friday's results at the Emirates Airline Dubai Sevens:
SA 22-12 Tribe 7s (Cup quarterfinals)
SA 40-5 Japan Academy (Cup Semi-finals)
SA 7-31 Japan (Cup Final)
