Blitzboks comeback stuns Samoa

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The Blitzboks overturned a 12-point deficit to claim a 21-12 victory over Samoa in their Singapore Sevens Cup quarter-final on Sunday. DYLAN JACK reports.

It was an impressive effort from Neil Powell’s charges, who scored 21 unanswered points after it seemed like the match was getting beyond them.

Despite looking like they would be overpowered by the Samoans’ physicality, they dominated possession in the second half and used their opportunities to good effect.

They move on to face the USA in the Cup semi-finals at 9:50am (SA time).

Samoa made a physical start to the match, running directly at the Blitzboks, who lost Werner Kok to an early yellow card for a professional foul.

The Samons took advantage and struck first when Melani Matavao burst over the line from close range. A minute later, Matavao got his second after some lazy work at the breakdown allowed the Samoans to pounce on a loose ball.

South Africa hit back just before the break when a strong carry from Justin Geduld brought them close to the line and Impi Visser broke through a gap to score under the poles and make it 12-7 at half-time.

The Blitzboks levelled the scores early in the second half, as Ryan Oosthuizen put Geduld over for a try, with Selvyn Davids’ conversion putting them ahead.

Some magic from Davids then allowed the Blitzboks to extend their lead as the playmaker chipped the ball over the defence and showed his pace to dot the ball down just before it went dead.

Photo: @Blitzboks/Twitter

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Dylan Jack