The Springbok Sevens powered their way into the semifinals of the Cape Town Sevens by burying another ghost and dominating a one-sided contest to beat last season’s HSBC World SVNS Series winners Argentina 29-5 on Saturday.
The Blitzboks will now face Spain in the semifinals on Sunday in the shortened format where all games count, while Dubai 7s Champions Fiji and Olympic Champions France will face off in a repeat of last weekend’s final in their semi.
The #Blitzboks will face Spain in the #HSBCSVNS Cape Town semi-finals on Sunday after winning both their pool matches in impressive fashion on Saturday - more here: https://t.co/gc1gUVfMjt ✅#PoweredByUnity #ItsAWholeVibe pic.twitter.com/099YK6qx8Z
— Springbok Sevens (@Blitzboks) December 7, 2024
Considering Argentina had won four of the last five meetings between the two sides, this was always a tricky contest for Philip Snyman’s side.
But from the outset, as with their initial win over Ireland, the Blitzboks were focused, determined and found the tryline easy as they made sure of the result in the first half and closed it out in style in the second.
South Africa beat Ireland 36-7 in their opening game.
Star of the first half was Ricardo Duarttee who missed out on a hat-trick after his third try was disallowed by a TMO decision, but scored the opening two tries, both from scrums five metres out where he corkscrewed his way over.
The second one went down to a TMO call, and Duarttee was lucky as it seemed the ball had been held up but was awarded in any case.
The try of the night came late in the first half when Dewald Human toyed with the Puma defence, first sprinting then slowing down while being monitored before picking the perfect moment to pin his ears back and beat his man on the outside to score in the corner.
At 17-0 at the break, the Blitzboks looked unstoppable but Argentina scored first in the second half through Matias Osadczuk to give them hope.
A turnover ball at the next kickoff saw the Blitzboks replacement speedsters Shaun Williams and Shilton van Wyk combine as the latter went in at the corner to seal the game.
A Blitzbok team try and a Shilton van Wyk finish 👏
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) December 7, 2024
What a sight 🇿🇦
📺 Stream #HSBCSVNS on DStv: https://t.co/0P0NNhnwKw pic.twitter.com/o5t6QOaDMX
With a few seconds left on the clock, Williams added his name to the scoresheet after Argentina dropped the ball, allowing him to pick up and score.
Spain, who were the surprise package in Dubai, reaching the semifinals after two wins over New Zealand, repeated their form with wins over Kenya and Australia to make the semifinals.
They certainly will be a handful against the Blitzboks on Sunday.
France were also in good form, scoring 50 against USA in a 50-12 win, and then thumping the All Blacks 47-15 in a result that asks questions about the quality of the New Zealand side this season.
Fiji beat Uruguay 70-7 in their opening game and then dispatched Great Britain 17-12 in their second to book their spot.
In the Women’s tournament New Zealand face France while Dubai Champions Australia take on USA in their semifinals
SEMIFINALS
WOMEN
1.12pm New Zealand v France
1.34pm Australia v USA
9th Place Semifinal
9am China v Spain
9.22am Brazil v Fiji
5th place semifinal
9.44am Japan v Ireland
10.06 am Canada v Great Britain
SEMIFINALS
MEN
1.56pm South Africa v Spain
2.18pm Fiji v France
5th Place semifinal
11.22am Kenya v Argentina
11.44am Great Britain v New Zealand
9th Place semifinal
10.38am Australia v Ireland
11am Uruguay v USA