Nervy Blitzboks through to quarters
WITH the Sevens World Series title in their sights the Blitzboks got off to a nervy start in Paris with an unexpected loss to Scotland in their first game.
However, the South Africans did enough to reach the Cup quarter-finals thanks to their wins against Canada and Japan. The Blitzboks will now face the rampant Samoans, at 11.12am, for a spot on the semifinals.
Samoa set their marker on the tournament early when they beat the defending champions, and gold medalists, Fiji, in the very first match of the competition. They also defeated Australia before inexplicably drawing with Russia, showing the dangerous, yet unpredictable, side of the Island nations the Blitzboks will be facing.
It was a nervy start for the South Africans when they took on the Scots in their first match, almost uncharacteristic, as captain Philip Snyman scored first off defensive pressure. Scotland countered through two quick tries in the first half to rattle the Blitzboks, then a yellow card shown to Cecil Afrika did not help matters. Scotland scored their third try before a late seven-pointer,scored by Siviwe Soyizwapi gave some respectability to the scoreline, finishing 19-12 to the Scots.
The Scots have been a bogey side for the Blitzboks before, beating the South Africans in last year’s London Sevens for their first-ever tournament win. When the Blitzboks came up against the remaining sides, it was a far more polished display as they brushed aside Japan 35-5 and Canada 31-7
Against Japan the Blitzboks came out firing, desperate to turn their fortunes around as Afrika scored in the first minute. Soyizwapi scored towards the end of the half, a half of dominance by the South Africans, with Branco du Preez converting both scores.
In the second half, Werner Kok and Afrika scored a try each before Soyizwapi got his second, and third for the day. Debutant Dewald Human was on to take the conversion and score his first points in a Blitzbok jersey. With the match all but over, the Japanese picked up their consolation try.
The final game of the day was equally impressive as the Blitzboks put to the sword Singapore leg champions Canada.
Chris Dry opened the scoring early on for the Blitzboks before Kok extended the lead with two tries in the first half. Dry was back in the second half to grab his brace only to turn that into a hat trick before Canada had even registered a score. Again, just like against Japan, Canada managed to get their score, long past the game being a contest any longer.
It will be a real test of the Blitzboks’ mettle as Samoa are hugely difficult to take down with their natural skill, but they also have the former Kiwi coach Gordon Tietjens at the helm. Eyes will still be on the gold medal, and an early championship win, should the Blitzboks triumph in Paris.