Despite conceding two yellow cards and a couple late tries, the Blitzboks held on to claim a 21-15 win over the USA to finish day two of the Cape Town Sevens top of Pool A. CRAIG LEWIS reports.
Earlier in the day, the Blitzboks flexed their muscles when they overturned a 14-point deficit to comfortably defeat last season’s series winners Fiji, and this time they again had to dig deep to claim victory over a determined USA side.
In the opening exchanges, two early errors from the USA gifted South Africa possession, and Dylan Sage would eventually make them pay when he darted over for the opening try.
Soon after, the hosts dished up a Blitzboks special as Justin Geduld kicked ahead from well within his own half. Seabelo Senatla sprinted upfield, grubbered ahead and Rosko Specman collected to score.
Those points came when the Springbok Sevens were one man down, after a tip tackle from Chris Dry, and then it was Senatla who was also sent to the sin bin for another lifting tackle.
Considering Senatla was yellow-carded in the game against Fiji as well, the Blitzboks’ continued ill-discipline will be a concern to coach Neil Powell.
As it was, the USA did score before the break, cutting the deficit to nine-points. That ensured there would be plenty to play for in the second half, and the tension was palpable.
Yet, the result would be sealed when Selvyn Davids ghosted over to score under the posts with just three minutes left to play, and despite two late tries to the visitors, it was too little too late.
The draw will now see the Springbok Sevens face Kenya in the first-quarter-final on Sunday.
