South Africa were challenged by Spain in their first pool clash, who scored first to take a 7–0 lead. But the Blitzboks found their feet against the Europeans, scoring three tries in the first half, courtesy of Donavan Don, Zander Reynders, and Shilton van Wyk.  

After the break, the South Africans were eager to extend their 21–7 halftime lead, but Spain scored the only try of the second half, with the final score 21–14.

In their second pool match against Great Britain, South Africa had to work hard to secure a 14–12 lead at halftime. Don again opened the scoring for South Africa, but the Brits scored two quick tries to secure a 12-7 lead just before the break. 

The Blitzboks in Singapore. Photo: X/Springbok Sevens

However, a try under the poles by Tristan Leyds gave the Blitzboks some confidence heading into the shed. South Africa were fully in control after the break, with Van Wyk and Ryan Oosthuizen scoring for a 33–12 victory.

The final pool match of the evening was a showstopper between Fiji and South Africa. Leyds scored first for the Blitzboks, followed by another try by Don with less than a minute to play in the first half. 

However, Fiji’s Terio Veilawa scored just before the break to make it 14–7 at halftime.  A quick try by Veilawa just after the break levelled the scores, before Christie Grobbelaar put South Africa back in the lead with four minutes to play. 

Yellow card

A yellow card for David Brits gave the Fijians a numbers advantage, which they used well with a try by Jeremaia Matana. 

When the scores were tied after normal time, the winner was decided by golden point in extra time. Nacani Boginisoko scored first for Fiji to give them a 24-19 victory and first place on the pool table with South Africa in second.

The Blitzboks’ semifinal against France will kick off at 09:14 on Sunday morning (SA time), with Fiji and New Zealand contesting the other top-four play-off (08:52).

OFM Sport/Ilse Smalberger cvs