Blitzboks hit back — now for the Eagles

SOUTH Africa put behind them the 14-21 defeat to England in their Hong Kong Sevens opener by ripping through Russia and Scotland without conceding a point yesterday.

In fact, they performed better than England did.

The Blitzboks beat Russia 50-0 while England were held to a 12-12 draw.

Then SA beat Scotland 29-0, while England beat their neighbours 19-0.

England still finished top of Group B, but the second-placed Boks had the better points difference — 72 to 26. SA were to play the US in the quarterfinals today.

But yesterday it was defending champions Fiji who looked the team to beat.

Saracens-bound flyer Savenaca Rawaca scored a dazzling opener in Fiji’s 36-10 win over Wales and crossed again in the second half as the world series title-holders set up a quarterfinal against Kenya.

New Zealand struggled to a 5-0 win over Kenya before hitting form with a 28-10 victory against Samoa, highlighted by Regan Ware’s double and All Blacks star Sonny Bill Williams’ first try of the tournament.

Fiji coach Ben Ryan was encouraged after his team, who are bidding to win their country’s first ever Olympic gold in August, improved from Friday’s 19-17 scare against Canada.

“We’re still probably not absolutely firing, I think defensively we’ll go up a notch tomorrow. But after what was a very tough game last night it’s good to come through unscathed,” Ryan said.

Two-time Rugby World Cup-winner Williams, who is trying to cement an Olympics spot for New Zealand, burst between two Samoa defenders to break his duck here.

But Nick “Honey Badger” Cummins was sidelined with an ankle injury as Australia hammered Portugal, but were then upset 22-17 by the United States.

Hong Kong’s format and sold-out 40 000-seat stadium make it the closest thing the sevens world series has to the Olympics.

The other quarterfinals see New Zealand face Wales and England take on Australia. — AFP and own staff