Blitzboks open HK account with France win

The Blitzboks take on Kenya and Canada on Saturday in Day Two of the tournament, the seventh in the 2016/17 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.

Cecil Afrika, who became only the fifth South African to reach 50 tournaments in the series when he took the field, scored the decisive try against France after the teams were tied up at 10-all at the break. Two early tries by Siviwe Soyizwapi and Branco du Preez edged South Africa 10-0 ahead, but two quick tries by the French cancelled the lead.

Afrika then pounced for a 146th career try and Branco du Preez converted.

The match also saw the debut of Selvyn Davids, who became the 164th Blitzbok to play in the series.

Springbok Sevens coach, Neil Powell, was not too critical of his team's performance.

"It was a long day and we only played 20h40 at night in the last match of the day, so it was not that easy to keep the guys focussed," Powell said.

"We made some errors out there and that helped France to stay in the game, but we will be a better team because of it. Some of the youngsters got the opportunity to stretch their legs as well and they will benefit from that experience. They were put in pressure situations at the end of the match where they were supposed to keep the ball and they didn't, but that is how you learn."

The coach is pleased that the first match is out of the way.

"France is never an easy opponent and they pushed us all the way. It was a good start as it showed some areas we need to concentrate on better on Day Two. Which is exactly what we plan to do,” said Powell.

South Africa face Kenya at 07h56 (SA time) and Canada at 11h56 (SA time) on Saturday.

Notes

•Branco du Preez needs 11 points to become only the second South African to score 1000 points on the circuit.

•Chris Dry and Philip Snyman (105 each) are the leading tacklers in the 2016/2017 series

•Cecil Afrika (1209 points) could extend his South African record for career points in the World Series.