SAN FRANCISCO – The Springbok Sevens team will meet Scotland in the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco on Sunday morning (SA time).
They produced commanding 45-7 win over Ireland earlier on day one of the international showpiece on Saturday morning SA time.
The Blitzboks, boosted by four tries from wing Siviwe Soyizwapi, totally outplayed their Irish opponents at AT&T Park, with their opponents scoring their only points with the last play of the match.
The South Africans had dominated possession up until that point and their speedy backs used their opportunities to run amok.
“I was quite fortunate out there today,” Soyizwapi said after becoming only the ninth player (and the first since 2005) to score four tries in a Rugby World Cup Sevens match.
“The guys on my inside did all the work.
“When you have quality players like Justin Geduld, Werner Kok, Selvyn Davids and Rosko Specman feeding you try-scoring passes, my job is only to make sure I finish their good work.”
Look back | @Blitzboks Siviwe Soyizwapi was in exceptional form scoring four tries in his first #RWC7s game in San Francisco pic.twitter.com/R5pHfwlXQ6
— Rugby World Cup Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) July 21, 2018
Springbok Sevens captain Philip Snyman applauded the effort from the coaching staff to get the team ready for the Ireland clash.
“The Irish had played Chile earlier in the day, and there was a chance of them catching us cold.
“But the coaches decided on a training session earlier in the day and that helped us prepare, so we were ready for Ireland.
“Credit to the team, they took every opportunity, and we never gave Ireland a chance.”
Blitzbok captain Philip Snyman speaks about the victory over Ireland and the quarter-final against Scotland. Audio: SA Rugby
Snyman said the Scotland match will be a tough one.
“Last time we played them, they actually beat us in Paris, so we dare not underestimate them.
“They are a quality side, and we will have to be at our very best if we want to continue in the competition,” Snyman said.
Reaction: @Blitzboks Ruhan Nel spoke to us after his side got their #RWC7s campaign off to a winning start against Ireland pic.twitter.com/xxPpXmDqCU
— Rugby World Cup Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) July 21, 2018
Quarter-Finals (Sunday morning SA time)
12.22am: South Africa v Scotland
12.54am: Argentina v Fiji
1.16am: France v New Zealand
1.38am: USA v England.