The Blitzboks beat Canada 26-7 on Saturday to maintain their unbeaten start to the Hong Kong Sevens.

Although the Blitzboks have been severely depleted by injuries, a new-look team made a comfortable start to proceedings in Hong Kong.

On Friday, the series leaders clinched a hard-fought win over France before powering past Kenya, with Werner Kok scoring a hat-trick of tries.

The Blitzboks looked set to build on that momentum as Dylan Sage scored early on against Canada, but the men in red hit back before the break as Justin Douglas dotted down to help draw the scores level at the interval.

That score appeared to throw the Blitzboks off their game, but they finally got their attack back into gear as a well-worked move enabled Ruhan Nel to go over unopposed with three minutes left to play.

Moments later, veteran Cecil Afrika then sealed the result as he darted over for an impressive solo try that opened up an unassailable 12-point lead, while Siviwe Soyizwapi finished off one more five-pointer before full-time.

The Springbok Sevens will now face New Zealand in the quarter-finals.

Hong Kong Sevens fixtures and results

Photo: Juan Manuel Serrano/Getty Images