The Blitzboks managed to dodge a potential upset as they recovered from a halftime deficit to beat Canada 17-7 in their opening match of the Cape Town Sevens at the Cape Town Stadium on Friday night.
A couple of top sides suffered upsets in their opening game, with Spain beating New Zealand in the biggest upset, while 2021/22 sevens series winners Australia were beaten by Great Britain.
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The Blitzboks were then in danger of suffering a similar fate as they trailed 7-5 at halftime after a try-a-piece from both teams, but they then ran in two tries to none in the second half for a comfortable win.
It was a cagey start to the match with Canada on the front foot for most of the first half, with their positive play rewarded in the fifth minute as a wraparound move earned the space for Alex Russell to run in under the poles untouched for a 7-0 lead.
The Blitzboks then hit back just before the halftime mark as Muller du Plessis tore down the touch to go in for an unconverted score making it 7-5 at the break.
Canada started the second half well, but a knock on in the Blitzboks 22m saw them start a superb attack from their own tryline, as they went through the phases and ended with Shilton van Wyk toeing ahead and dotting down their second unconverted try to take the lead 10-7 with three minutes left.
The Blitzboks then landed the one-two punch from the kick-off as Ryan Oosthuizen chased Ricky Duartee’s deep drop out, with Canada allowing the ball to bounce as Oosthuizen deflected it up, caught it and ran in to score, with Duartee’s extras putting them ahead 17-7.
Canada tried to battle their way back in the closing moments, but some big defence from the hosts meant they never threatened to get over the whitewash again.
South African women’s sevens
The South African women’s sevens side had a difficult day at the office as they were heavily defeated 52-0 by women’s series champs Australia, and then beaten 24-0 by Ireland women.
They have one last pool game against Spain on Saturday and they will be desperate to pick up a win in that game.
Saturday fixtures
Blitzboks v Fiji – 11:19am
South Africa women v Spain – 1:25pm
Blitzboks v France – 5pm
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