South Africa opened their Hong Kong Sevens tournament on a high note, brushing aside giant killers Uruguay 40-7 in their opening game at the new Kai Tak stadium in their opening game.
Uruguay had beaten the Blitzboks in Los Angeles the last time the two sides met and caused upsets by beating Fiji and New Zealand in recent tournaments, so they were a tricky first opponent for the Blitzboks.
But the Blitzboks took control virtually from the opening salvo, as Quewin Nortje ran hard at the defence, beating one defender before sending Siviwe Soyizwapi over the line with a beauty of an inside pass.
Gino Cupido 😮💨🔥
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) March 28, 2025
The 19-year-old announces his presence for the @Blitzboks in style 😏🤌#HSBCSVNS | #HSBCSVNSHKG pic.twitter.com/3gic985EWy
Nortje added one of his own - his first of two in the game - before Uruguay got their hands on the ball and attacked for the first time. Their attack saw a loose pass, pounced on by Selvyn Davids, who popped the ball up for Shilton van Wyk to sprint 65 metres and add to the scoreline, leaving the Blitzboks 19-0 up at halftime.
Debut nerves are no where to be seen! ⭐️
— HSBC SVNS (@SVNSSeries) March 28, 2025
Welcome to #HSBCSVNS Gino Cupido 🇿🇦#HSBCSVNSHKG pic.twitter.com/Cm0hcREqxs
Nortje started the second half as he did the first by being a menace to the defence, scoring his second try in the process.
But then the highlight of the game was debutant Gino Cupido, who scored his first try, much to the delight of his teammates, who swamped him from the field and bench in celebration.
Ricardo Duartee finished the big win off after Uruguay finally got themselves on the board via a try to Alfonso Silva.
New Zealand won their trans-tasman battle with Australia 21-12, with the Aussies the next opposition for the Blitzboks at 2.39pm (CAT, GMT+2) Friday afternoon.
In other matches Kenya opened their tournament with a good 19-0 win over Spain before going down to Great Britain12-7. Kenya face Olympic Champions France in their final game on Saturday, but will fancy their chances as France lost 12-7 to Great Britain and 19-12 to Spain in their two pool games thus far.
Defending series champions Argentina look in sensational form, blowing Ireland away 35-7 and later USA 52-5.