Blitzboks claim bronze in Canada

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Captain Philip Snyman celebrates with Muller du Plessis

The Blitzboks beat the USA 29-7 in the third-place playoff to clinch the bronze medal at the Vancouver Sevens.

There were no signs that the Blitzboks were fretting over their heartbreaking semi-final loss to Fiji as they ran in five tries to brush aside the USA.

The USA made a good start to the game and scored first when a linebreak through the middle by Kevon Williams set up Malon Aljiboori for the try. Folau Niua kicked the conversion.

That proved to be their only points of the match as the Blitzboks stamped their authority.

Zain Davids’ try in the fifth minute and the subsequent conversion draw them level, followed by tries from Stedman Gans and Siviwe Soyizwapi as the Blitzboks led 19-7 at the break.

Young Ryan Oosthuizen continued his brilliant form at the event with a second-half brace to effectively end the match as a contest.

It has to be noted that they are currently without six key experienced players – Seabelo Senatla, Kwagga Smith, Tim Agaba, Werner Kok, Justin Geduld and Rosko Specman – and their continued participation in the back-end of tournaments highlights their strength in depth.

In the Cup final, Fiji beat Kenya 31-12. The Fijians are second on the World Rugby Sevens Series table, nine points ahead of New Zealand and eight points behind the Blitzboks, who remain top.

Match centre

Photo: @HSBC_Sport/Twitter