The Blitzboks defeated Canada 17-7 in their second game at the London Sevens on Saturday. MARIETTE ADAMS reports.
Both teams were undefeated before this match, with the winner of the contest set to provisionally move to the top of the pool standings. In the end, the Blitzboks emerged as victors but they were certainly made to work for the result.
South Africa’s clinical execution on attack will be lauded, but this win should be credited to their peerless work-rate in defence and superior physically, to which Canada had no answer.
Canada were on the attack early on, but when Werner Kok made a turnover, the ball went through a couple of phases before Ryan Oosthuizen ran a straight line through a gap to opening the scoring for a seven-point lead at the break.
The Blitzboks suffered a setback soon after the restart when Dylan Sage was sent off for deliberately knocking the ball out of the scrumhalf’s hand. Fortunately for him and the team, Canada were unable to capitalise on the numerical advantage.
Captain Philip Snyman extended South Africa’s lead to 12 with a wonderful team try, but Canada responded with a converted effort by Harry Jones.
But Canada’s hopes of causing an upset when were squashed when Kok powered over to wrap up the win.
Blitzboks remaining fixtures (Day 1):
vs Samoa (5:02pm)
Photo: @Blitzboks/Twitter
