Blitzboks secure Cape Town Sevens semi-final spot after wins over Ireland and Argentina

Lunga Biyela

The Blitzboks booked their place in the semi-finals of the Cape Town Sevens after beating Argentina 29-5 in the last game of the day at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday evening.

After their earlier win over Ireland on Saturday, the men in green needed the win to top the group in what was a shortened competition with fewer teams.

After a nervy start, the home team were immediately on the board when scrumhalf Ricardo Duarttee outstripped the Argentinean defenders for the first try of the game.

Tricky RIckey was at it again a few minutes later when the Blitzboks took advantage after Argentina had were reduced to six men. And not long after Dewald Human tricked the opponents and dived over in the corner to put South Africa 15-0 as the hooter sounded.

The #Blitzboks will face Spain in the #HSBCSVNS Cape Town semi-finals on Sunday after winning both their pool matches in impressive fashion on Saturday - more here: https://t.co/gc1gUVfMjt ✅#PoweredByUnity #ItsAWholeVibe pic.twitter.com/099YK6qx8Z

— Springbok Sevens (@Blitzboks) December 7, 2024

Human then slotted the difficult conversion to give his side a healthy 17-0 lead at the break.

Desperate to get back in the game, Argentina began the second half moving the ball around, but mistakes continued to hand the advantage back to the hosts. A scrum after a knock on saw South Africa earn some valuable yards, and Duarttee dove over in the corner.

Unfortunately, the try was chalked off as one of the South Africans was in an off-side position in the lead-up.

Argentina responded well, and Matias Osadczuk scored to get his team back in the game.

But, that all went to nothing for Argentina as Shilton van Wyk scored in the corner in what was a well-worked team try. And with time virtually over, Shaun Williams put the icing on the cake with a late try.

The result will see South Africa take on Spain, the surprise runners up in Dubai last week, in the semi-final on Sunday. The other semi-final will be Fiji going up against Olympic champions France.