The Blitzboks opened their account at the Los Angeles Sevens with a 31-5 victory over Kenya on Saturday.
This fixture always delivers top-quality action and this contest was no different. The Kenyans ran the Blitzboks close in the first half, but ultimately Neil Powell’s men had enough firepower to get the desired result.
As always it was a brutal physical contest, with big hits flying in and a see-saw battle for ascendancy around the ruck area.
The Blitzboks opened up a 12-0 lead with tries from Angelo Davids and JC Pretorius in the first half. But Kenya hit back well into stoppage time before the break after Werner Kok was yellow-carded. Willy Ambaka crossed for Kenya’s five-pointer.
It was one one-way traffic in the second half, though, as South Africa added three more tries to wrap up what was a convincing win at the end. Kok, Muller du Plessis and Branco du Preez all got their names on the scoresheet.
South Africa take on Ireland and Canada in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Photo: @Blitzboks/Twitter