The Springbok Sevens side moved into the semifinals of the New York Sevens on Saturday night, beating France 12-5 in an epic arm wrestle game to keep their unbeaten record intact.
The Blitzboks had beaten New Zealand in their opening game and will now face fellow unbeaten Pool side Australia to decide who wins the pool. The game is set for 22.58 (CAT, GMT+2) and will be live on SuperSport.
But the real intrigue happens on Sunday as the Blitzboks head into the knockouts, as their results will determine whether or not they win the HSBC World SVNS Series after entering the New York tournament level with South Sea magicians Fiji.
Whoever finishes higher of the two sides will take the title, and Fiji are in a dogfight to try and qualify for the semifinals after they were beaten solidly by Argentina in their opening game. Los Pumas won 31-12 in that game and are unbeaten after two games.
Spain and Fiji have both won one game in the pool, and if Fiji lose their final game against the upstart Spaniards, who made the Vancouver Sevens final last weekend, then the title is South Africa’s.
If Fiji do win the game and finish second, they are likely to face the Blitzboks in a showdown for the title on Sunday.
Against France, in a low-scoring physical game, it was a late try by Ronald Brown, coming off a quick penalty after a turnover that gave the Blitzboks the win. Tristan Leyds scored in the first half off a similar quick tap and go, also after the Blitzboks won a turnover penalty.
If the Blitzboks pull off the Series win, it will be a massive statement in the first full season that coach Philip Snyman has coached the side.