The Blitzboks advanced to the quarter-finals of the Hong Kong Sevens after beating Samoa 21-7 in their final pool game on Saturday. MARIETTE ADAMS reports.
Unlike the Blitzboks’ comprehensive victories against Japan and Scotland, this match was closely contested. Ultimately Neil Powell’s side did what was needed to see off the Samoans and top the pool. South Africa will next face either the USA or Wales in the quarters.
There was also a milestone for Werner Kok, who scored his 100th career try for the Blitzboks.
After a slow start to the match, South Africa finally put their forward momentum to good use in the fourth minute when Kok flung a long skip pass to free up Impi Visser for the opening try.
They should have doubled their lead right on half-time when another lofted pass by Kok, this time to stand-in captain Siviwe Soyizwapi on the right, created an overlap. But play was brought back because the ball travelled forward.
South Africa sealed the win in the second half with tries by Justin Geduld and Kok. First the Samoa defenders drifted off Geduld when he threw a dummy pass, and then Kok powered over after Chris Dry ripped the ball clear from a turnover to initiate a counter.
Samoa did have the final say when Tomasi Alosio slid over for their only score of the game. His effort didn’t make much difference to the result, but conceding late tries is becoming a worrying trend for this Blitzboks side who pride themselves on their staunch defence.
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