Unbeaten Blitzboks book playoffs spot
Defending champions, the Blitzboks produced a sublime fightback to beat series title-holders New Zealand and progress to the Dubai cup quarter-finals on Sunday.
Having started the defence of their title in the desert with wins over Samoa and Canada at the Sevens Stadium on Saturday, South Africa had to beat the Kiwis to secure top spot in Pool A.
The Blitzboks trailed the men in black 19-7 at half time but scored 14 unanswered points after the restart to claim a 21-19 win and set up a quarter-final clash against Australia at 8:58am.
ICYMI – Blitzboks double up in Dubai
New Zealand raced into the lead with tries from Tepaea Cook-Savage and Ngarohi McGarvey-Black, with the former converting his opening touchdown, but debutant Quewin Nortje dotted down to keep the Blitzboks in touching distance.
Justin Geduld added the extras, before Moses Leo replied with a converted try of his own at the close of the first half.
The Blitzboks came out firing in the second half, with converted tries from Ronald Brown and Masande Mtshali for the victory, but stand-in coach Philip Snyman will be sweating the fitness of Christie Grobbelaar and Ryan Oosthuizen for the playoffs.
The @Blitzboks have turned this around ????
A quality finish to win the match before the final whistle ????#HSBCSVNS | #HSBCSVNSDXB pic.twitter.com/TRTzhe4FMG
— HSBC SVNS (@SVNSSeries) December 2, 2023
