branco du preez

HAMILTON, NEW ZEALAND – JANUARY 26: Branco du Preez of South Africa makes a break against France during day one of the 2019 Hamilton Sevens at FMG Stadium on January 26, 2019 in Hamilton, New Zealand. (Photo by Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images)

New Zealand Sevens: Blitzboks top group will face Samoa in quarterfinal

The Blitzboks topped their group in the New Zealand Sevens and will face Samoa in the quarterfinal.

branco du preez

HAMILTON, NEW ZEALAND – JANUARY 26: Branco du Preez of South Africa makes a break against France during day one of the 2019 Hamilton Sevens at FMG Stadium on January 26, 2019 in Hamilton, New Zealand. (Photo by Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images)

South Africa completed a clean sweep in their group of the Hamilton Sevens in New Zealand, topping their group after beating Scotland 26-7. That result set up a quarterfinal meeting with Samoa. Kick off for the knockout clash is at 00:58 South African time (27 January).

Earlier, the Blitzboks beat France 17-5. South Africa sent out the same starting seven against France that began the victory over Kenya earlier on day one of the New Zealand Sevens in Hamilton.

The French put themselves under pressure early with a string of mistakes that kept them from mounting any serious early attacks but they did defend well to start.

The Pressure told in the third minute when Werner Kok got outside his man and sprinted in to open the scoring for the Blitzboks. The Conversion was missed leaving the score 5-0 to South Africa.

Another handling error deep in the French half handed the Blitzboks a great attacking opportunity just before half-time and this time it was Siviwe Soyizwapi who got on the outside of his man and sprinted into the corner to make it 10-0.

France’s best chance of the half came from a counter started deep in their own 22 with seconds left in the half but they became isolated and the Blitzboks were awarded a penalty that allowed them to set up a final attack for the first half. A forward pass ended the first half with South Africa sporting a 10-0 lead.

Chris Dry earned a key turnover early in the second half when France were looking dangerous on the restart return but the Blitzboks couldn’t make the most of their first attack.

France sparked the game into life when Samuel Alerte was the man over and won a sprint into the corner to make it 10-5.

Selwyn Davids got the Bltizboks back onto the attack with a piercing linebreak that would lead to skipper Philip Snyman running in after a miss pass by Dry. The conversion was nailed from out wide by Davids to give the Blitzboks a 12-point cushion.

France came again but another handling error would end an entertaining contest. The Blitzboks won 17-5 to seal progression to the Cup Quarter-finals.

South Africa’s Siviwe Soyizwapi fends off the Kenya defense on day one of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series in Hamilton on 26 January, 2019. Photo credit: Mike Lee – KLC fotos for World Rugby

Earlier the Blitzboks saw of the challenge of Kenya in an all-African derby to get their Hamilton Sevens campaign off to a great start.

Kyle Brown assumed the captaincy and led from the front, having a superb first half that left Kenya struggling to stay in the game despite opening the scoring through Jacob Ojee in the second minute.

Brown restored parity at 5-5 in the fourth minute when he crossed for the first try for the Blitzboks in New Zealand.

Werner Kok put the Blitzboks ahead just two minutes later and with second remaining in the first half it would be Brown who gave South Africa a big edge.

Brown tapped the restart infield setting up a simple run in for Zain Davids and Branco Du Preez did a great job of knocking over a tricky conversion.

Du Preez himself crossed for a try early in the second half that gave the Blitzboks some breathing space.

Cyprian Kuto showed great strength to finish off a move that kept Kenya in the game, in a manner of speaking.

Steadman Gans jogged in for a simple score moments later though and at 29-10 the game petered out in the dying seconds.

The Blitzboks came into the tournament in fifth place on the World Series log after a quarterfinal exit in Dubai and a bronze medal effort in Cape Town.

Blitzboks Hamilton Sevens results

South Africa 29-10 Kenya
South Africa 17-5 France
South Africa 26-7 Scotland