CAPE TOWN 7S: BlitzBoks play England in the Final
The BlitzBoks beat New Zealand 14-7 in a bruising semifinal, while England eased past Scotland (33-14) in the other semifinal.
There were amazing scenes as Rosko Specman whizzed past two forwards and darted inside to burst for the line and score the winning try inside the opening minute of the second half.
Neil Powell, the South Africa coach, was delighted with his team after a breathtaking semifinal.
"I think the guys did well," Powell said, adding: "New Zealand, we knew they would be physical.
"We were a little bit nervous to start in the first four minutes, but we're happy to come through with the win.
"It is all about using our opportunities when they present themselves and I think the guys did that there."
* Nacanieli Cawanibuka's Fijian side will meet Kenya in the fifth place play-off. Kenya left it late to beat Wales 19-14, while Fiji were just too good for the United States, winning 28-12.
The Challenge trophy Final will be between Argentina and France – with Los Pumas having beaten Australia 21-17 and France edging Russia 17-12.
The Canadians showed some enterprise in the second period and will meet Uganda in the 13th place play-off – Uganda beating Japan 21-17 and Canada winning 245-19 against Samoa.
We look at all the quarterfinals!
Cup semifinals:
It was a nervous start by South Africa, who produced far more unforced errors than we have become accustomed to them this season. It allowed Sherwin Stowers to score the opening try after five minutes.
The BlitzBoks responded swiftly, a switch-pass allowing VBranco du Preez to level matters for the home team. It stayed 7-all to the break, although the BlitzBoks had lost Kyle Brown to a knee injury in the final seconds.
And Rosco Spekman got the second half off to a blistering start with a length-of-the-field try – a weaving, stepping run that bamboozled the Kiwis.
It was physical and even brutal at times, as the Kiwis opted for a territorial game. However, the BlitzBoks' renowned defence held out the Kiwis in a game that turned on one single moment.
Both England and Scotland played extra-time in their quarterfinal matches earlier, but the pace was absolutely relentless in the first half.
England stormed into a three-try lead – as Dan Norton and a double from Charlie Hayter made it one-way England traffic.
Scotland's Mark Robertson gifted a try to Oliver Lindsay-Hague, who was perfectly positioned to run in his first try at the Cape Town Sevens – ending any hope of a Scotland comeback.
Results:
South Africa 14-7 New Zealand
Scotland 14-33 England
Fifth-place play-off:
In the first match for fifth place Owen Jenkins put boot to the ball, then showed the pace to chase it and reach the line first for his 15th Sevens Series try. Wales were playing a patient game and waiting for the gaps to open, which Lloyd Evans can eventually exploit.
Big, strong and fast, Willy Ambaka thundered through the Welsh defence to put Kenya on the scoreboard. There was delight too for Darwin Mukidza as he grounded his first-ever Sevens Series try, after dangerman Billy Odhiambo cut Wales open. A second score for Willy Ambaka right at the death stole the game for Kenya.
In the other fifth-place match Fiji exposed even the smallest hint of space and Osea Kolinisau needed no invitation to exploit it. He surged through the middle and despite almost being caught in the corner, checked back beautifully to put Fiji in front. Jasa Veremalua scored a second, United States struggled to get going. Sevuloni Mocenacagi threw a couple of dummies and jinked over for a third Fijian try against the tired-looking Eagles side.
It turned out to be a resounding victory for Fiji, as Jerry Tuwai wrapped up the contest, despite a first-ever Sevens Series try for Kevon Williams.
Nacanieli Cawanibuka's side will meet Kenya in the fifth place play-off.
Results:
Wales 14-19 Kenya
United States 12-28 Fiji
Challenge Trophy semifinals:
An electrifying start by Andy Friend's Australian side saw Alex Gibbon take it from the kick-off, sold Argentina the dummy and, after running the length of the field, grounded his third try at the Cape Town Sevens.
Franco Sabato displayed some magical footwork and put it down between the sticks. And German Schulz got it down on the chalk, after a mistake from the restart by Australia, as Los Pumas finished strongly.
Alex Gibbon completed a hat-trick, which gives Australia a chance to steal the game at the death. But with the ball on the floor, Argentina stole it and tap it into touch.
In the second semifinal brilliant work by Dmitriy Perov – with a little show-and-go and then using some smooth, silky footwork – saw him race for the line, before Vladislav Sozonov put Russia into the lead at half-time with his 21st Sevens Series try.
With Vladislav Sozonov in the sin-bin, Les Bleus took full advantage, as Pierre Gilles Lakafia exploited the space. France held on for the win, despite a late Russian rally.
Results:
Australia 17-21 Argentina
Russia 12-17 France
Thirteenth-place semifinals:
Japan opened the scoring in the first match for the lower position – a pass was popped up off the deck for Leon Ellison to put Japan ahead against Uganda. Philip Wokorach, who also plays in the 15-a-side for Uganda, used a strong, powerful handoff to create enough space to run in his seventh try of the Series. And, on the stroke of half-time, Pius Ogena extends Uganda's lead.
Uganda were awarded a penalty try as Keiju Tsuruta was sent to the sin-bin for two minutes after a challenge on Achaji Manano. Kenya saw off Japan for the second week in a row.
A yellow card after just 12 seconds for Adam Zaruba – after he took out Samoa Toloa in the air from the kick-off – saw Samoa take advantage of their extra – Ed Fidow, Lafaele Vaa and Alamanda Motuga the scorers. Justin Douglas drew two defenders towards him, which opened a gap for Adam Zaruba to take Canada to within a score of Samoa.
Samoa surrendered the lead in the final few seconds, as Canada grabbed victory courtesy of Pat Kay.
The Canadians showed some enterprise in the second period and will meet Uganda in the 13th place play-off.
Results:
Uganda 21-17 Japan
Samoa 19-24 Canada
Source: @WorldRugby7s
.@Blitzboks sensational scorer @speckmagic11 gives his reaction to THAT @nz7s win at the #CapeTown7s pic.twitter.com/JKdKpBnvfO
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) December 11, 2016
