The Springbok Sevens’ defence of their Las Vegas Sevens title started off on a powerful note as they ended day one without conceding a point.
Placed in a tricky pool alongside Wales, Canada and Kenya, the Blitzbokke placed their marker early on as they smashed Wales 43-0 in the opening game of the tournament and then followed it up with a comprehensive 29-0 win over Canada in the second game of their pool fixtures.
The Blitzbokke will face Kenya in their final group fixture tonight (0.12am CAT, SA, GMT+2), and – thanks to the strange fixture list at this tournament – will then face their quarterfinal opponents just over two hours later.
While the Blitzbokke are firm favourites in these parts, thanks to a narrower pitch and the massive amount of PR work they did in the lead-up to the tournament, they underlined this fact as Branco du Preez continued his journey to becoming a Sevens legend with some impressive individual performances.
Seabelo Senatla, who missed out on the Nelson Mandela Sevens through injury, made a triumphant return to the squad, and has already scored four tries in the first two games to remind all that there is no substitute for speed.
Any thought that the Welsh had of making an impression was firmly snuffed out as they were starved of the ball, and two tries from Du Preez, and another from Senatla set the trend in the first half.
It took just 13 seconds in the second half for Justin Geduld to add his name to the scoresheet, with Senatla winning two footraces to get his hat-trick, before Geduld finished off the whitewash in style for the Blitzbokke.
Against Canada, it took a bit longer to break the Canadian resolve, but tries to Du Preez and Senatla in the first half made sure this would be a winning day for the Blitzbokke.
They followed it up with tries in the second half for captain Kyle Brown, Justin Geduld and Stephan Dippenaar.
Paul Treu’s Kenya started off badly, losing 17-15 to Canada before bouncing back to beat Wales 21-17. They have a tough task as Treu faces his former team tonight.
In the “group of death”, New Zealand and Australia look set to qualify, as the All Blacks beat the Wallabies 31-7 in their opening match, and followed it up with a 26-5 win over Scotland.
The Wallabies, however, won the crucial clash against Fiji 22-21 and now Fiji will have to beat the All Blacks to have any chance of qualifying.
Blitz Bokke are through to cup semi-final of the Las Vegas 7s, they won their last pool game against Kenya, SA 19/7 Kenya and then beat Argentina 36/0. They will face Samoa in the semi-final. New Zealand will face Canada in the other semi-final.
SA cup semi-final against Samoa due to start at 2132 South African Time, 1932GMT
Results in Las Vegas 7s so far today: Shield semifinals – Spain 19/12 Portugal; USA 28/14 Uruguay. Bowl semifinals – Kenya 21/7 Scotland; Wales 12/40 Fiji. Plate semifinals – Argentina 19/24 Australia; France v England still on.
Latest score – France 5/14 England
Canada got to the Cup semi finals where they will face New Zealand by beating France 17/14, this is the first time since 2000 that Canada are in the semi final. GO CANADA!
Latest score – France 5/21 England
Final score- France 12/21 England. England will face Australia in the Plate Final
Its Spain v USA in the Shield final and Kenya v Fiji in the Bowl final
Cup Semi final latest – SA 0/0 Samoa GO BLITZBOKKE!
9 @ Bullscot:
Still waiting for it to start according to official website
Cup Semi final latest – SA 14/0 Samoa, in the second half
Chris Dry and Sampie Mastriet have scored tries so far and Cecil Afrika has converted both.
Less than 5 minutes left. Samoa had a player yellow carded just before halftime
Final score: SA 14/0 Samoa!
Cup Semi final latest – Canada 7/0 NZ – GO CANADA!
Cup Semi final latest – Canada 7/12 NZ – half time
ist half scorers – Phil Mack scored and converted a try for Canada, Scott Curry and Bryce Heem scored tries for New Zealand with Curry’s try being converted
Cup Semi final latest – Canada 7/19 NZ, try by Tim Mikkelson converted by Gillies Kaka
Cup Semi final latest – Canada 7/26 NZ
Final Score- Canada 7/26 NZ, so its South Africa against New Zealand in the final.
South Africa have only conceded 1 try so far in the tournament, hope it stays that way.
South Africa defended their USA Sevens title in style in Las Vegas, winning a thrilling Cup final 14-7 against reigning Series champions, New Zealand.
In winning a second successive tournament title this season, South Africa assume a one-point lead over New Zealand in the HSBC Sevens World Series standings. They also extend their winning streak against the kiwis to five matches, stretching back to December 2012.
Scott Curry gave New Zealand the lead in a bruising final at the Sam Boyd Stadium, but tries by Branco du Preez and Werner Kok were enough to seal the South Africans’ title defence as they conceded just 14 points en route to their victory. .
I’m lekker tired today thanks BlitsBokkies, was worth it!!!!
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