Blitzboks through to Hamilton playoffs

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The Blitzboks finished top of Pool C and progressed to the quarter-finals of the Hamilton Sevens, courtesy of a 26-7 victory against Scotland. DYLAN JACK reports.

A brace from Siviwe Soyizwapi, adding to scores from Branco du Preez and Werner Kok, saw the Blitzboks claim a hard-fought win to top their pool.

They will face Samoa in the quarter-final that kicks off at 00:58 (SA time) on Sunday.

The match was initially a bit scrappy as both sides knocked on in promising positions. It was Soyizwapi who opened the scoring for the Blitzboks, handing off a couple of tacklers before dotting down.

The speedster then set up Branco du Preez for the Blitzboks’ second of the match, which gave them a 12-0 half-time lead.

The Blitzboks lost Justin Geduld to a yellow card for a high tackle early in the second half, for Scotland to capitalise on by creating space out wide, allowing Sam Pecqueur to score and bring them within a try of the lead.

However, Kok made a blistering break from inside his own half at the kick-off and dotted down as the Blitzboks once again extended their lead. Soyizwapi then sealed the victory with a try after a quick tap and run from Selvyn Davids

Earlier in the day, the Blitzboks opened their New Zealand campaign with a 29-10 win over Kenya. Neil Powell’s men were given an early scare as captain Jacob Ojee ran in the opening try for Kenya. However, in his record-equalling 68th tournament appearance for the Blitzboks, Kyle Brown ran in a try and then set up another.

This was followed up by a tighter 17-5 victory against France, where captain Philip Snyman scored his 65th Sevens Series try, adding to scores from Kok and Siviwe Soyizwapi. The win set up a straight shootout with Scotland for the top of Pool C.

Blitzboks results (Day 1):

Blitzboks 29 Kenya 10
Blitzboks 17 France 5
Blitzboks 26 Scotland 7

Match Centre


Photo: @Blitzboks/Twitter

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Dylan Jack