Blitzboks face Fiji in semi-final
The Springbok Sevens will have a chance to go back to the top of the World Series log when they face Fiji in the Canada Sevens Cup semi-final in Vancouver on Sunday.
|||The Springbok Sevens will have a chance to go back to the top of the World Series log when they face Fiji in the Canada Sevens Cup semi-final in Vancouver on Sunday.
Rosko Specman scored two tries as the Blitzboks ran out comfortable 31-0 victors over Wales in the Cup quarter-final at the BC Place Stadium on Sunday night.
Neil Powell’s team were never troubled by the Welsh as they dotted down thrice in the first half for a 21-0 lead at the break through tries by Seabelo Senatla and Specman, before the industrious Kwagga Smith showed some great skill to chip over the defence and re-gather to get his five-pointer.
Bok 15s stalwart Bryan Habana rounded things off as he broke through two Welsh tackles to claim his second World Sevens Series try.
But now the South Africans will hope to topple Series leaders Fiji in the Cup semi-final, which will take place at 12.08am South African time on Monday morning. Fiji are on 91 points, five ahead of the Blitzboks.
The Fijians needed extra time to get past a plucky USA 31-26 in their quarter-final on Sunday, with Savenaca Rawaca going over to score the sudden-death try.
The New Zealand Sevens also made it through to the last-four as they held off Samoa 17-12 after going into a 17-0 lead, while in the fourth Cup semi-final, Australia were too good for Scotland in a 24-17 triumph.
So, that sets up the other Cup semi-final, with New Zealand taking on Australia at 12.30am SA time on Monday morning. The Cup final will be played at 3am SA time.
For the Blitzboks, beating Fiji could result in a double celebration – a place in the Cup final, but also possibly the No 1 position the World Series log. A Cup final win will see the South Africans claim 22 points, while Fiji would only be able to get a maximum of 17 if they win the third-place playoff.
If it works out that way, then the teams will be level again, which was the case before last week’s Las Vegas Sevens, where Fiji beat Australia in the final and South Africa ended third.
Senatla also extended his tally to 41 at the top of the 2015/16 try-scorers’ list, 11 ahead of Fiji’s Rawaca.
* Follow @IndyCapeSport on Twitter for live updates of the Blitzboks’ Cup semi-final against Fiji at 12.08am South African time on Monday morning. The Cup final is at 3am SA time.
ashfak.mohamed@inl.co.za
@IndyCapeSport
POINTS-SCORERS
South Africa – Tries: Seabelo Senatla, Rosko Specman (2), Kwagga Smith, Bryan Habana. Conversions: Justin Geduld (3).