Better showing from NZ in Cape Town
The New Zealand sevens team narrowly lost a semifinal to South Africa at the Cape Town Sevens before beating Scotland to win the bronze medal after an injury time try.
Jonathan Ruru’s late touchdown helped New Zealand to a dramatic 24-19 win over the Scots yesterday, but it was their performance against South Africa which helped restore some credibility after a disappointing series in Dubai.
But they came unstuck against the Blitz Boks, losing 14-7, after an early Sherwin Stowers try had given them a 7-0 lead.
South Africa completed the rest of the scoring, with a converted first half try to Branco Du Preez and a second half try to Rosko Specman sealing the win.
However, the day’s drama was by no means over as England, hammered by New Zealand in pool play, upset home town favourites South Africa 19-17 in the final.
England had led 12-5 at halftime and although South Africa levelled up at 12-12 soon after the restart, a try to Ruaridh McConnochie, converted by Tom Mitchell, helped push England out to a 19-12 lead.
South Africa managed to score what could have been the equaliser through Werner Kok in the final minute, with England tryscorer Dan Norton sitting in the bin, but Justin Geduld missed the conversion.
Meanwhile, New Zealand had to pull out all the stops to beat the feisty Scots who had opened the scoring through a try to Dougie Fife, quickly matched by a try to Dylan Collier to tie it up at 7-7.
A try to George Horne again put Scotland ahead 12-7, but New Zealand struck back before the break through a converted try to Tim Mikkelson for a 14-12 halftime lead.
Antonioa Kiri Kiri crossed after the restart to put New Zealand ahead 19-12 before Scotland levelled up at 19-19 with a minute remaining, leaving Ruru to seal victory at the death.
New Zealand had earlier rebounded from a draw with Canada to thrash England and finish top of Pool C.