Blitzboks blow Argentina away

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The Blitzboks beat Argentina 33-12 in their Cup quarter-final at the Vancouver Sevens on Sunday. MARIETTE ADAMS reports.

While South Africa went through day one unbeaten – their best pool-stage performance this season – they were still not clear-cut favourites to oust the Argentinians. But Neil Powell’s men turned on the style and successfully employed their suffocating defence to come out on top.

Ultimately, this quarter-final was won in the second stanza as the Blitzboks outscored Argentina three tries to one.

That followed a competitive first half that saw Argentina score the opening try of the game within eight seconds. Argentina contested the kick-off and did well to secure possession. The ball fell into the hands of Fernando Luna, who outpaced the retreating defence to dot down.

South Africa absorbed a lot of early pressure from the Argentinians after that before levelling matters. Selvyn Davids weaved his way through Argentina’s defence and raced clear to the left-hand corner. But spotting Justin Geduld on his inside, he had the presence of mind to float a lofted pass to his teammate to score under the posts and make the conversion easier.

When Argentina conceded a yellow card for a dangerous clean-out on Phillip Snyman, Siviwe Soyizwapi scored to put his team in front after latching on to a superb no-look, round-the-back offload from JC Pretorius.

It was all South Africa after the break as they piled the punishment on Argentina. Soyizwapi completed his brace in the eighth minute followed by well-worked tries from Muller du Plessis and Stedman Gans.

At 33-7, the game was as good as gone for Argentina, but they did have the final say through Francisco Ulloa.

Match Centre

Photo: @Blitzboks

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Mariette Adams