The Blitzbokke in action against Kenya (Photo: Peter PARKS/AFP)
The injury-plagued Blitzboks once again failed to qualify for the quarter-finals of World Rugby’s sevens series when they lost two of their three group matches in the Singapore tournament.
Three more Blitzboks, Sean Williams, Ricardo Duarttee and Tiaan Pretorius, joined the long injury list, leaving the Blitzboks very thin.
After the Blitzboks were stopped 19-0 by Australia early on Saturday morning, they beat Hong Kong 36-12, but did not convince.
They therefore had to win their last group game against New Zealand by 30 points to qualify for the quarter-finals with a better points difference, but were beaten 12-7 by the All Blacks.
It was ironically the Blitzbokke’s best performance and the score was tied at 7-7 shortly before the end, but the much more physical New Zealanders did just enough to maintain their unbeaten status.
The Blitzbokke now play on Sunday morning (05:56) in the quarter-finals for ninth position against Ireland, who were shocked 12-7 by Japan in one of their group matches.
Scorers:
New Zealand 12 (7): Tries: Dylan Collier, Cody Vai. Goal kick: Tepaea Savage.
South Africa 7 (7): Drie: Mfundo Ndhlovu. Doelskop: Jaiden Baron.
Other results:
Argentina 10, Ireland 0;
Britain 19, Japan 17;
Australia 19, South Africa 0;
New Zealand 47, Hong Kong 0;
Uruguay 24, VSA 21;
France 26, Kenya 19;
Samoa 28, Sleep 24;
Fiji 21, Kanada 12;
Argentina 42, Japan 7;
Britain 14, Ireland 7;
South Africa 31, Hong Kong 12;
New Zealand 24, Australia 12;
USA 21, Kenya 19;
France 26, Uruguay 12;
Canada 21, Sleep 7;
Samoa 28, Fiji 7;
Japan 12, Ireland 7;
Argentina 19, Britain 17;
Australia 48, Hong Kong 0;
New Zealand 12, South Africa 7.
