CAPE TOWN – South Africa’s Blitzboks were off to a flying start at the Vancouver leg of the World Sevens Series when they hammered Russia 38-7 in Saturday’s opening Pool D match, after leading 12-7 at halftime.
After the South Africans took a 5-0 lead through an unconverted Cecil Afrika try, Russia sprung a surprising burst of speed out wide, and Sergei Ianiushkin ran in unchallenged to score a converted try under the posts (7-5).
That, however, was the last time the Russians breached the Blitzboks’ defence.
Dylan Sage ran in a converted try ahead of the break for a 12-7 halftime lead.
Ruhan Nel opened the scoring in the second half, and moments later, SA coach Neil Powell sent on three replacements who managed to cross the whitewash.
As the second half wound its course, tries followed by subs Muller du Plessis, Stedman Gans and Zain Davids as the Blitzboks signed off with a 38-7 rout.
The Blitzboks will face Scotland in their next match later on Saturday (11.24pm SA time), before they take on New Zealand on Sunday morning 2.56am SA time.