Irish mistake saves Blitzbok blushes

A rookie mistake from Ireland saved South Africa from defeat and allowed the Blitzboks to end top of Pool C at the Los Angeles Sevens as they saved a 19-all draw to advance to the quarterfinals.

Ireland had looked to secure a famous victory and were leading 19-12 when they booted the ball out, not seeing that there were a handful of seconds still on the clock.

So instead of victory, the Blitzboks got a lineout on the Irish line and made no mistake as Stedman Gans ghosted through to level the scores and save the Blitzboks from defeat.

It was a turn of luck that didn’t look like they deserved it after a poor performance where they took way too much contact and were physically dominated by the Irish side.

It meant the Blitzboks ended up on top of the pool, with Ireland advancing as the second side, and kept the South Africans’ impressive record up of never having lost a pool game in an American Sevens tournament.

Ireland were full value as Jack Kelly scored twice – once in either half and upset the Blitzboks rhythm, while an impressive individual try from Jordan Conroy in the second half looked to have given them enough to win.

The Blitzboks will now face USA in their quarterfinal on Sunday evening after Australia won a tense final pool match to avoid the Blitzboks.

Gans’ first try had put the Blitzboks on the board shortly after Ireland scored their opener, but it the Blitzboks struggled with Ireland’s physicality throughout the game and went 19-5 down as the clock ticked down.

Kurt-Lee Arendse hit back to give them hope but when they lost the ball and Ireland kicked it out, it seemed over, until the referee looked at the clock.

Earlier the Blitzboks easily accounted for Canada and Kenya in their other pool games.

Against Canada Muller du Plessis scored a brace and was joined on the scoreboard by Arendse, Gans and Cecil Afrika in a 33-5 rout while Werner Kok scored a try as he celebrated his 50th tournament as the Blitzboks beat Kenya 31-5.

The other scorers against Kenya were Angelo Davids, JC Pretorius, Muller du Plessis and Branco du Preez.

The Blitzboks quarterfinal will kick off at 8.49pm (CAT, GMT+2) and will be live on Supersport.