Blitzboks beat Kenya, face France in Dubai Sevens semi-finals

The Springbok Sevens team have qualified for the Dubai Sevens semi-finals after a 31-19 win over a tough Kenya side in their quarter-final on Saturday morning.

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The Blitzboks – now into their fourth successive HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series semi-final with their 22nd straight victory – will face France at 12:46 (SA time) for a place in the Dubai Sevens final.

The first semi-final, at 12:24, is between Australia and Argentina.

After early tries by Zain Davids and Siviwe Soyizwapi which handed the South Africans a 10-0 lead, Kenya gradually worked their back into the game and with a minute over in the first half, Alvin Marube scored their first try, making it a three-point game.

But the Blitzboks reacted very quickly.

Selvyn Davids put in a superb run before the ball finally made it into the hands of Ronald Brown, who scored a crucial try after the hooter had sounded, which gave South Africa a 17-7 lead at the break.

Kenya scored two late consolation tries

Brown and Branco du Preez were instrumental in setting up a try for Christie Grobbelaar early in the second half to stretch their lead to 24-7.

Shaun Williams then scored a gift of a try after he snatched up a loose Kenya pass which all but secured the win for the Blitzboks, although Kenya did score two late tries.

SCORERS:

QUARTER-FINAL: Springbok Sevens 31 (17) Kenya 19 (7)

Springbok Sevens – Tries: Zain Davids, Siviwe Soyizwapi, Ronald Brown, Christie Grobbelaar, Shaun Williams. Conversions: Branco du Preez, Brown (2)

Kenya – Tries: Alvin Marube, Timothy Mmasi, Jeff Oluoch. Conversions: Anthony Omondi, Johnstone Olindi