Blitzboks dominate champions Fiji

CAPE TOWN - The Blitzboks dispatched Japan and Australia easily enough, but the big grudge match was always going to be against Fiji at the Wellington Sevens on Saturday.

The Fijians had much to celebrate in 2016, winning the World Sevens Series title and clinching the gold medal at the Rio Olympics.

But while South Africa had to be satisfied with “just” a bronze in Brazil and second place in last season’s series, they claimed the bragging rights on day one at the Westpac Stadium by dominating Fiji 31-12 to top Pool B on Saturday.

Earlier, the Blitzboks got the better of Japan (33-0) and Australia (28-0), and now await the outcome of the final Pool C clash between New Zealand and USA later on Saturday that will determine their quarter-final opponents on Sunday.

“We knew we had a tough pool, but the guys came out today, laid a solid foundation and kept building on that. We work hard on our defence. It’s something you can always improve, and now looking forward to the rest of the tournament,” captain Philip Snyman told the World Sevens Series website afterwards.

Neil Powell’s Blitzboks combined some creative attacking play with a relentless defence to outwork and outlast the men from the Pacific.

And World Sevens Player of the Year Seabelo Senatla is now just three short of Fabian Juries’ South African try-scoring record in the World Sevens Series after dotting down four times in Saturday’s action.

The Blitzboks just never let up against Fiji from the start, with Werner Kok bursting up the middle and Branco du Preez taking a quick tap penalty, before Kwagga Smith put Kok over in the corner.

Vatemo Ravouvou was yellow-carded for a high tackle on Kok in the act of scoring, and the South Africans exploited the advantage as Senatla rounded off Justin Geduld’s line-break.

Fiji were feeling the heat and couldn’t get out of their half, and a loose ball was scooped up by Smith to spark the try for Geduld.

The Fijians hit back just before halftime when Jerry Tuwai finished a long-range attack, and they were right back in it after the break when Joeli Lutumailangi had enough pace to get a second following giant forward Jasa Veremalua’s bump-and-run manoeuvre.

But the South Africans tightened up their defence, and Ravouvou was the villain once more as a wild back-handed pass inside his 22 bounced into space and Senatla pounced to score his second.

Siviwe Soyizwapi could’ve secured the victory when he had an open line in front him on the Fijian 22, but he dropped the ball. However, he made amends soon afterwards when Geduld again provided the final pass off a classy set move off a lineout.