JOHANNESBURG - Neil Powell’s BlitzBoks opened their World Rugby Sevens Series 2017/18 this morning with a hard-fought 19-10 win against Uganda in the Dubai tournament.
The series defending champions were far too good for their African counterparts, but they also showed signs of rust after a long layout before the new season.
Ruhan Nel and captain Philip Snyman scored first half tries for the BlitzBoks to help the South Africans into a 14-0 lead at the break. But straight after the restart Ugandan Solomon Okia pulled a try back for his team, but the result was settled soon after when Tim Agaba scored the BlitzBoks’ third try.
Not to be outdone, and showing plenty of fighting spirit and some enterprising play, Uganda finished strongly with a second try, scored by Philip Wokorach at the death.
The BlitzBoks will be happy they have their first game out of the way and will look to build on the performance when they’re next in action, later on Friday against Kenya (kickoff at 12.36pm), who looked extremely impressive in dispatching Canada earlier in the day.
The BlitzBoks also face Canada in the late game on day one in Dubai, at 5.53pm.