The Blitzboks progressed to the Cup quarter-finals of the Paris Sevens after beating Brazil and Australia on Saturday. MARIETTE ADAMS reports.

South Africa began day two with a six-try 30-7 thrashing of Brazil, before scoring five tries to rout Australia 31-0.

The set of results ensured the Blitzboks finished top of their pool to advance to the Cup quarter-finals, where they will pay Samoa on Sunday.

A first-half blitzkrieg saw Seabelo Senatla (two), Kyle Brown and Cecil Afrika score against the South Americans for a 20-0 lead at the interval. The Brazilians did score a converted effort in the second half, but further touchdowns by Ruhan Nel and Ryan Kankowski completed the demolition.

It was expected that South Africa would meet a little more resistance against Australia, but it turned out to be the easiest of their three pool games.

South Africa dominated the breakdown and defended aggressively to keep the Aussies scoreless, while a clinical attacking display saw them run in five tries.

The Blitzboks led 19-0 at the break courtesy of a brace by Senatla and a try by Rosco Speckman. The second half started off with Australia going on the attack quickly after the restart, but they failed to shift Kyle Brown at a breakdown and conceded a penalty. Afrika took it quickly and sent Speckman away for his second and the team’s fourth try of the match for a 26-0 cushion.

With the last play of the match, Tim Agaba broke through two tackles down the left flank to release Francois Hougaard for the try.

Overall, the Springbok Sevens scored 15 tries in the pool stage with eight credited to Senatla. Afrika, however missed 10 conversions and with Justin Geduld ruled out through injury, the goal-kicking is cause for concern going into the playoffs.

Cup quarter-final lineup:

New Zealand vs Argentina
South Africa vs Samoa
Kenya vs France
Fiji vs Australia

Photo: Dan Mullan/Getty Images