Playmaker Tristan Leyds played an instrumental role as the Blitzboks snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in Saturday's semi-final against Kenya at the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens.
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The Springbok Sevens produced a dramatic late comeback to secure a 26-22 victory over Kenya and book their place in the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens semi-finals at the Kai Tak Sports Ground on Saturday.
It looked as though the Blitzboks’ Hong Kong hoodoo would continue when Philip Snyman’s charges were reduced to six players while trailing against the powerful East Africans, with time fast running out. But a late two-try blitz salvaged a pulsating victory for the nuggety South Africans.
Selvyn Davids opened the scoring for South Africa, but Kenya responded with two tries of their own. They were then reduced to six players after a yellow card for a dangerous aerial challenge on Davids, and a try by Donovan Don helped the Blitzboks take a narrow 14-12 lead into the break.
Kenya struck first in the second half to edge 17-14 ahead and threatened a major upset against the regular-season champions in the opening round of the World Championship.
Matters worsened for South Africa when Davids was yellow-carded with just over two minutes remaining for playing the ball on the ground at the breakdown. Kenya capitalised, scoring their third try to stretch their lead to 22-14 and seemingly put the result beyond doubt.
But the Blitzboks refused to fold. They found a lifeline when speedster Quewin Nortje kicked ahead into space, chased hard and regathered to score under the posts. Ronald Brown’s conversion cut the deficit to a single point at 22-21.
From the restart, playmaker Tristan Leyds produced a crucial turnover, and veteran Siviwe Soyizwapi – the former captain – powered over a few phases later to complete the comeback and snatch victory.
Earlier on Saturday, the Blitzboks bounced back from a lacklustre Friday showing with a clinical 38-0 win over Argentina in their final pool match to top their group. The South Africans were sharp on attack and relentless on defence, with Argentina’s challenge further weakened by a red card to Martiniano Arrieta after just three minutes.
The Blitzboks will now face arch-rivals New Zealand in Sunday’s semi-final.
South Africa 26 (14)
Tries: Selvyn Davids, Donovan Don, Quewin Nortje, Siviwe Soyizwapi. Conversions: Tristan Leyds (2), Ronald Brown.
Kenya 22 (12)
Tries: John Ohoth Okeyo, Denis Abukuse, Kevin Wekesa Nyongesa, Festus Shiasi Safari. Conversion: Nygel Pettersan Amaitsa.