CAPE TOWN 7S: It's SA v NZ in semis

The BlitzBoks remained unbeaten in their home tournament, Round Two if the 2016/17 Sevens World Series, while New Zealand put a disappointing day one behind them to qualify for the semifinals.

South Africa, who once again put on display their stern defence, had no trouble in dispensing Wales 33-0 in the first of the Cup quarterfinals.

The BlitzBoks will meet New Zealand in the semifinals, after the Kiwis disposed of Kenya 28-7 – the New Zealanders just too experienced clinical for the African team.

DJ Forbes, New Zealand's most-capped Sevens player, cannot wait for the last-four showdown with the BlitzBoks.

"South Africa at home, you couldn't ask for a better occasion," Forbes said.

"It's going to be tough. We owe them a little bit for last week and want to get some respect back."

It was heartbreak in the Cup quarterfinals a week ago for Scotland but, under immense pressure, they struck a hammer blow to the United States five minutes into sudden-death extra-time – as Scott Riddell secured the five-pointer.

Scotland will face England in the semifinals, after a superb Dan Norton winner in sudden-death extra time secured the win for England over Fiji in a pulsating game.

* Australia and Argentina booked spots in the Challenge Cup semifinals with easy wins over Uganda and Japan respectively, and Vladislav Lazarenko followed up his hat-trick of Saturday with a double to fire Russia to their first-ever win over Samoa. France finished the Challenge Cup quarterfinals with an easy win over Canada.

France will play Russia in the Challenge Cup semifinals. Australia will meet Argentina.

We look at all the quarterfinals!

Cup quarterfinals

South Africa were under pressure in the opening stages of their encounter with Wales, but as been the case this season their defence won a turnover and Seabelo Senatla got them o the board first. And it was another turnover created by the BlitzBok defence that set up Branco du Preez for the second try. A kick-and-chase try by Chris Dry gave SA a 19-0 lead at the half-time break.

The first try after the break was a gimmi for Ruan, after a sublime break by Werner Kok, who waited for his teammate behind the tryline – before handing him the ball. From then it was just about consolation for the Welsh, the BlitzBok defence still being triumphant and Rosco Spekman completing the scoring..

Tim Mikkelson, in his 64th Sevens Series tournament, broke the deadlock in the second quarterfinal, against Kenya, and 30-year-old Sherwin Stowers followed up his four tries at the Dubai Sevens last week with another four this weekend. Brian Tanga bumped off one defender and spun away from another to hit back for Kenya.

"Keep stretching them," was the message from New Zealand coach Scott Waldrom to his players at half-time, and the Kiwis did exactly that. DJ Forbes sent a pass inside and Scott Curry got his legs pumping towards the tryline.

In the third of the Cup quarterfinals the United States began with a bang against Scotland, as captain Perry Baker danced outside and then inside and raced away from the cover defence. Outstanding work at the breakdown by Scotland and James Johnstone flicked a neat pass inside to Scott Wight, who gave the Scots the lead. Perry Baker backed up his own pass and was then in again for the US Eagles – 14-12 to Scotland at the break.

Iosefo and Fleming scored second-half tries. With nothing to separate the sides at the end of the second period of regulation time, the game went into sudden-death extra-time. Scott Riddell scored the winner for Scotland five minutes into additional time.

In the last of the Cup quarterfinals – Fiji versus England Sevuloni Mocenacagi burst through two tackles, while Jerry Tuwai danced through the midfield and Joeli Lutumailagi scored a third as Nacanieli Cawanibuka's side started brightly. The was a superb response from England. Phil Burgess had a hand in their first try, grounded by Alex Davis, before he scored England's second after a Dan Norton interception.

Richard de Carpentier reduced the deficit and then, with the clock in the red zone, Ruaridh McConnochie darted his way on the outside to ground a try that levelled the scores. Tom Mitchell was narrowly wide of the posts with the conversion attempt and a second-consecutive quarterfinal went into sudden-death extra time. Dan Norton twice beat defenders on the outside the score a brilliant winner.

Results:

South Africa 33-0 Wales

New Zealand 28-7 Kenya

Scotland 24-19 United States (in sudden-death extra time – 19-all at end of regulation time)

Fiji 26-31 England (in sudden-death extra time – 26-all at end of regulation time)

Challenge Trophy quarterfinals:

In the opening match of the day Australia simply had too much pace and power for an inexperienced Ugandan team – outscoring the Africans by six tries to two.

The second of the day's quarterfinals was just as one-side – Argentina outscoring Japan by five tries to two in a 33-12 win.

The first big upset of the day was the Russian win (17-14) over a strong Samoan team – Vladislav Lazarenko scoring an injury-time try to seal the Russians' first-ever win over Samoa and also their first win in Cape Town.

We were back to one-sided affairs on the final of the Challenge Cup quarterfinals – the French toying with a hapless Canadian team to record a 42-14 win, two late consolation scores giving the Canadian effort some respectability.

Results:

Australia 42-12 Uganda

Argentina 33-12 Japan

Samoa 14-17 Russia

France 42-14 Canada

Source: @WorldRugby7s

South Africa's @wernerkok1 says the amazing #CapeTown7s crowd has helped their performances so far this weekend: pic.twitter.com/h7YveUWZgx

— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) December 11, 2016