A last-gasp penalty by Ricardo Duartee sent the Springbok Sevens team into the Cup quarterfinals unbeaten as they downed arch-rivals New Zealand 17-14 in their final pool match in the Sydney Sevens on Saturday.
The Blitzboks survived two yellow cards and were down to six men when they launched their final attack, earning a penalty with 12 seconds left on the clock, which Duartee took his time to slot to earn a win that was celebrated.
Given their run in Hamilton last week, the Blitzboks will look for momentum to avoid a horror second day when they face Ireland in the quarterfinals.
It was looking as if the bigger Kiwi team would dominate, especially when Joe Webber stepped inside to score the first try.
The Blitzboks then lost Jaiden Barron to an unnecessary yellow card for throwing the ball away, but the team’s resolve paid off as Shilton van Wyk scored in the corner and Duartee put over a beauty of a sideline kick.
New Zealand struck again just after halftime when Roderick Solo went over but the consistent Bok defence press paid off as a wayward pass on their own tryline was intercepted with glee by Zain Davids to level the scores.
James Murphy received his marching orders when he stuck a hand out to stop a pass and the Blitzboks faced the final two minutes one man down.
But somehow they got the ball back and attacked wide, before coming straight up the middle. The final penalty may have been disputed by the All Blacks and commentators alike, but it was left for Duartee to send the ball home and then celebrate.
The Blitzboks face Ireland at 11.05am on Saturday with the semis and finals on Sunday morning SA time.