The Blitzboks powered into the Cup semi-finals of the Dubai Sevens after cruising to a 40-0 win over New Zealand on Saturday morning. SA Rugby magazine’s CRAIG LEWIS reports.

Ultimately, this quarter-final was won in the opening stanza as the Blitzboks ran in three unanswered tries, but again it was their impressive suffocating defence and strong breakdown work that contributed considerably to their win.

Although the Blitzboks went through day one unbeaten, they still weren’t quite at their best, but they turned on the style in a first half where they enjoyed a surfeit of possession.

Cecil Afrika scored as early as the first minute, while Seabelo Senatla dotted down soon after for his seventh try of the tournament, which opened up a handy buffer at the outset.

Just before the break, former captain Kyle Brown extended the Bitzboks’ advantage with a well-taken try after pouncing on a loose ball from an All Blacks lineout.

At 19-0, the game was as good as won, and Chris Dry piled on the punishment when he went over to score under the posts with less than three minutes remaining.

But the Blitzboks weren’t done just yet, and as the clock wound down, Justin Geduld and Werner Kok cruised over to dot down and complete a resounding rout of their traditional rivals.

The Springbok Sevens will next face Wales in the semi-finals.

Photo: Roger Sedres/Gallo Images