Sydney Sevens: Blitzboks kick off their campaign Down Under in emphatic style

The Blitzboks ran in seven tries as they inflicted a crushing 50-0 defeat on Papua New Guinea in their opening game of the Sydney Sevens on Friday.

The Pacific Islanders were not expected to cause too much trouble for the world series champions and it proved to be the case as they were easily brushed aside.

The explosive Rosko Specman was first on the board, running in for the opening try after good build-up play from the South Africans. Justin Geduld converted to make it 7-0.

Ruan Nel followed that with a try of his own running in from a lineout move to take the score to 14-0 after yet another successful conversion.

The Blitzboks did not give the minnows an inch, hogging possession to send Nel through for his second of the night with Geduld again adding the extra two points as the sides went to half time at 21-0.

Seabelo Senatla started off the second half in emphatic fashion running in for his first try of the tournament within seconds of kick off. However, the conversion was unsuccessful this time around.

Specman was again in the thick of the action, sprinting wide to get his second of the match – taking the score to 31-0 before Steadman Gans ran in for a try of his own which was converted, making it 38-0.

It proved to be Specman’s night as he completed his hat-trick, the Blitzboks crossing over the 40-point mark – but they wouldn’t end it there as Cecil Afrika ran in for his first try of the day as the South Africans ran off 50-0 winners.

It is try no 7 for the South African side, scored and converted by @AfrikaCecil to finish match 50-0 to the #Blitzboks. Day One sorted! @Sydney7s @ASICS_ZA pic.twitter.com/ISzFdfdvV7

— Springbok Sevens (@Blitzboks) January 26, 2018

The Blitzboks next take the field in the early hours of Saturday morning when they take on Spain at 06:03 (SAST).

Spain started the tournament in disappointing fashion when they went down 22-10 to England earlier.

For the full fixture list, click here