An incredible defensive effort produced one of the most impressive victories for the Blitzboks in their history as they dismantled Fiji 31-12 in the Sydney Sevens semifinal to move into the final.
A brace of tries each for Shilton van Wyk and Jaiden Baron was the elixir needed as the Blitzboks gave Fiji almost no room at all and pounced on their mistakes to book their place in the showpiece game.
There they will face arch-rivals New Zealand, who moved into the final with a demolition of France in their semifinal. The two sides met in pool play on day one when Ricardo Duartee put over a late penalty to claim a nail-biting 17-14 win.
But against Fiji, South Africa were a totally different animal. Aware of the big Fijian runners, they were in their faces and allowed them no space, and when they had the opportunity, they pounced.
Van Wyk’s first try came from a clever pullback of the pass by Duartee to wait for the perfect moment for the winger to come through at the angle.
Pinning Fiji in their own 22, the mistake then came again and it was Dalvon Blood that swooped in at the corner for the second try.
Baron got in on the scoresheet after Duartee took a quick penalty tap and sent the ball inside to flummox the defence.
Leading 17-0 at the break, the Blitzboks knew the Fijians would come back at them, but lenient refereeing allowed Fiji to get away with two big head-high hits that in 15s, when replays are reviewed, would have been automatic red cards.
Both were on Baron, who was forced off with a HIA while Duartee left clutching his shoulder and it is hoped both will be okay for the final.
Iowane Teba got Fiji onto the board with a try early in the second half and with four minutes to go, the big Fijian supporting crowd hoped this would be their comeback.
But more pressure, and a dropped pass and kick through by Darron Adonis, who won the subsequent chase to dive onto the ball in the dead ball area, sealed the game as a contest.
A minute later, a wild pass by Fiji in their own 22 floated into the hands of Van Wyk, who couldn’t have had an easier run-in for his second try.
Vida Naduvalo scored a consolation after the final whistle, but it was all over as a contest by then.
The Blitzboks face New Zealand in the final at 11.26am. The game will be live on SuperSport.