The Blitzboks have been knocked out of the cup competition at the Hong Kong Sevens.

Australia beat the Springbok Sevens team 15-0 in the quarter-finals of the cup competition at the iconic tournament.

Nathan Lyon put Australia in the lead with a 2nd minute unconverted try to lead the quarter-final 5-0 at the half time break.

A few minutes into the second stanza, Maurice Longbottom scored Australia's second try which he also converted to push the score up to 12-0.

Minutes later, Longbottom, slotted a penalty and this is a very rare occurrence in the game of Sevens to seal the win for the team from down-under.

The defeat could have come at the heavy price for South Africa and the in-form and exciting Shaun Williams took a heavy knock during a tackle. The collision left the South Africa flat on his back and he was forced to leave the park with what could be a concussion.

The Blitzboks went into the playoff with the captain Selvyn Davids as well as Justin Geduld suspended. Davids was suspended for three games for a 'dangerous' tackle against Samoa, while Geduld was sanctioned for his red card in their opening match against Ireland on Friday. In addition, Ronald Brown, was ruled out of the quarter-final because of an injury.

In the other quarter-finals - Ireland beat the USA 24-19, France beat Spain 24-19 and the defending champions, New Zealand beat Fiji 19-12.

The Blitzboks will face Fiji on Sunday morning at 9:00 in the 5th/6th place playoff.

Davids suspended for three matches for this tackle against Samoa. He will miss the remainder of the tournament. pic.twitter.com/x7BD4phJIs

— Springbok Sevens (@Blitzboks) April 6, 2024

Morgan Piek OFM Sport