Ricardo Duarttee kicked a last-gasp penalty as a 14-man Blitzboks side clinched an enthralling 17-14 win over New Zealand at the Sydney Sevens.

Ricardo Duarttee kicked a late penalty to help the Blitzboks beat New Zealand.

Blitzboks stun New Zealand to top Pool B at Sydney Sevens

Ricardo Duarttee kicked a last-gasp penalty as a 14-man Blitzboks side clinched an enthralling 17-14 win over New Zealand at the Sydney Sevens.

Ricardo Duarttee kicked a last-gasp penalty as a 14-man Blitzboks side clinched an enthralling 17-14 win over New Zealand at the Sydney Sevens.

Ricardo Duarttee kicked a late penalty to help the Blitzboks beat New Zealand.

Ricardo Duarttee kicked a last-gasp penalty as a 14-man Blitzboks side clinched an enthralling 17-14 win over New Zealand at the Sydney Sevens.

With two wins each, both sides were assured of a place in the quarter-finals. But this match was billed the decisive contest that would determine which of South Africa or New Zealand advance through to the knockout stage as the Pool B winners.

For obvious reasons, the Kiwis were inserted as favourites, but the Blitzboks pulled a classic Blitzboks move as they emerged as victors when the odds were stacked against them.

The Blitzboks will now face Ireland in the quarter-finals on Saturday night, while New Zealand will take on Samoa in the last eight.

There was never a moment or a sustained period of time when one side dominated the game, as the Blitzboks and New Zealand went blow for blow in this thriller.

Converted tries by Joe Webber and Shilton van Wyk kept the scores deadlocked at 7-7 at the half-way mark. Roderick Solo gave New Zealand the lead again with a second score, but the South Africans got back into the contest when a wild pass by the Kiwis was intercepted by Zain Davids, who dotted down.

Level as 14-14, the Blitzboks suffered a crucial setback when Impi Visser was sent off for a deliberate knock down. But New Zealand failed to make the most of the opportunity they were given and that proved costly. When the Blitzboks won a penalty, Tricky Ricky stepped to the fore and knocked over the match-winning kick.

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Blitzboks upend Uruguay at Sydney Sevens

In the early hours of Saturday morning (South African time), the Blitzboks beat Uruguay 28-12.

Duarttee and Davlon Blood both bagged a brace of tries for the Springbok Sevens side in this game and Duarttee also added three conversions with Darren Adonis slotting the fourth.

Blitzboks down New Zealand at Sydney Sevens
Blitzboks down New Zealand at Sydney Sevens.