Cape Argus E-dition

Boks blitz Scotland after poor first half

WYNONA LOUW POINT SCORERS:

SPRINGBOK Sevens coach Neil Powell says he’s pleased with his side’s 27-7 comeback victory over Scotland at the Malaga Sevens yesterday.

On Day One of the Malaga Sevens - which marked the first time Spain played host to a World Series tournament - Scotland produced a superb first half, doing well to hold onto the ball and contesting well and, while the BlitzBoks used their powerful defence, the Scots managed to penetrate and go 7-0 up at half-time.

The South Africans also had trouble holding onto possession when they did have the ball and paid for their ill-discipline when JC Pretorius was shown yellow.

South

Africa put up a much more characteristic display and took complete control as they were much more clinical and challenged Scotland’s defence with ball in hand.

They ran in five second-half tries through Zain Davids, Selvyn Davids (two), Siviwe Soyizwapi and Christie Grobbelaar.

Speaking after the game, Powell said: “I’m happy with the outcome of the first game, there are one or two things we could have done better, but it was a great second half,” Powell said.

“If you give away four penalties and a yellow card (to JC Pretorius) in one half, you’re always going to struggle regardless of who you’re playing against. That’s probably the reason we were 7-0 down at half time. At half time we just asked the guys to hold onto the ball and take control of the game, and that’s exactly what they did.”

Meanwhile, Soyizwapi, who took a knock to the shoulder and stayed down after scoring the team’s fourth try, is in doubt for the remainder of the tournament.

The Blitzboks next face England in their second and final pool match today (kick-off 14:14).

South Africa were due to play Fiji later in a second pool game yesterday, but a Covid-19 outbreak in their squad forced the islanders to withdraw.

Tries: Zain Davids, Selvyn Davids (2), Siviwe Soyizwapi, Christie Grobbelaar Conversion: Branco du Preez Yellow card: JC Pretorius

Try: Paddy Kelly Conversion: Gavin Lowe

Sport

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2022-01-22T08:00:00.0000000Z

2022-01-22T08:00:00.0000000Z

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