A brace of tries by Sebastian Jobb and a first try in international Sevens by new cap Grant de Jager set the Springbok Sevens on the course to hopefully claim the HSBC World SVNS Series title as they swept aside New Zealand 22-7 in their opening game at the New York Sevens.
The Blitzboks, who need to finish higher than Fiji - who are level with them at the top of the Series standings - completed the tricky first task with ease as they look to finish the six-tournament series with a flourish and claim the title.
The positive start to the tournament was aided by Argentina shocking Fiji 31-12 in their opening game, thereby placing all the pressure on the South Sea Islanders as the tournament heads onwards.
Selvyn Davids opened the scoring for the Blitzboks, while Jobb’s brace and De Jager’s maiden try were enough to stop the Kiwis, with bigger battles that await.
The Blitzboks will face France at 20.02 (GMT, CAT+2) and Australia at 22.58 to complete their pool fixtures, but another win should be enough to put them into the semifinals. Australia smashed France 24-0 in the opening game.
Fiji, who now have to win both their games, face Spain, who beat them in Vancouver last weekend at 22.14 but first face Great Britain at 18.56.
All games are live on SuperSport.