The Blitzboks may have conceded an early try, but came roaring back to dispatch fellow African outfit Kenya 29-10 at the New Zealand Sevens in Hamilton on Friday night (Saturday morning NZ time).
Kyle Brown equalled the record of Frankie Horne by most World Series tournament appearances by a South African in his 68th event when he took to the field, and his teammates ensured that it was a memorable start to the day at the FMG Stadium.
Jacon Ojee was first out of the blocks for the Kenyans, though, scoring in the second minute for a 5-0 lead.
But after that it was all South Africa, with Brown being prominent throughout. The former Blitzboks captain sparked the comeback by dotting down to level the scores at 5-5, while Werner Kok sped away after a well-worked move to make it 10-5.
Zain Davids, who played a strong hand in Kok’s five-pointer, was put in space after Brown did brilliantly to win the kickoff, and finished smartly to stretch the halftime lead to 17-5.
When Branco du Preez went over the line early in the second half, the match was all but over as a contest, with Stedman Gans rounding off a solid opener for the South Africans.
Their two remaining pool games on Saturday are against France (3.10am SA time) and Scotland (7.22am SA time).
FT: @Blitzboks get a win over their Africa rivals Kenya in their first match at the #NZSevens in Hamilton. RSA 29 KEN 10 pic.twitter.com/UhaV3mBWqa
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) January 25, 2019
Points-Scorers
Blitzboks 29 – Kyle Brown, Werner Kok, Zain Davids, Branco du Preez, Stedman Gans. Conversion: Branco du Preez (1), Selvyn Davids (1).
Kenya 10 – Tries: Jacob Ojee, Cyprian Kuto.
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