Hong Kong Sevens

Semi Kunatani (L) of Fiji fights off Vladislav Sozonov of Russia on the second day at the Hong Kong Sevens rugby tournament in Hong Kong on April 7, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / ISAAC LAWRENCE

Hong Kong Sevens: Blitzboks to play Fiji in semis

The Blitzboks are having a great tournament in Hong Kong… and this isn’t even South Africa’s strongest team.

Hong Kong Sevens

Semi Kunatani (L) of Fiji fights off Vladislav Sozonov of Russia on the second day at the Hong Kong Sevens rugby tournament in Hong Kong on April 7, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / ISAAC LAWRENCE

The Blitzboks ‘B’ team continued to impress on the final day of the Hong Kong Sevens, downing Spain 38-5 in their quarter-final clash.

Muller du Plessis scored a hattrick with Dewald Human and Selvyn Davids
adding the other tries.

The Blitzboks will now face tournament favourites Fiji in the semi-finals at 9:41 South African time. They will need to improve on discipline here, though, having received two yellow cards during the match against Spain.

Fiji beat Argentina 40-14 in their quarterfinal. New Zealand beat the USA 35-7 and Kenya triumphed over Scotland, 19-12.

With South Africa’s top players – and their regular coach – preparing for the Commonwealth Games, this tournament is a benchmark of the country’s Sevens strength. While the majority of Commonwealth Games countries have sent weakened teams, the experience gained here is invaluable.