Blitzboks down New Zealand to continue perfect start in Cape Town
Shilton van Wyk, seen here in action in the Blitzboks’ first game against Fiji, scored another try as they beat New Zealand in their second match of the Cape Town Sevens on Saturday.
Image: Blitzboks on X
The Blitzboks came out fighting in the second half to earn a 19-14 win over New Zealand in their second game of the Cape Town Sevens on Saturday.
During a difficult first half, South Africa found themselves on the back foot early on when Impi Visse was sent to the bin after just two minutes played. The New Zealanders took advantage and Tone Ng Shiu crossed the try line a minute later.
Three minutes later, Shilton van Wyk, the hero in the first game, was sent to the bin, putting the home team under more pressure. However, New Zealand were not able to make the advantage count, and could only go into the break with a 7-0 lead.
The Blitzboks hit back immediately after the break when van Wyk sent Donovan Don away into space for a try under the posts. The easy conversion by Tristan Leyds made it 7-7. The home team continued to put the pressure on New Zealand, and found themselves on the board again when Visse won the turnover in the Kiwis’ 22, leaving van Wyk with an open try line.
The successful conversion by Ronald Brown made it 14-7. Brown then killed off the contest with a late try in the corner with less than a minute remaining.
New Zealand scored a late consolation try through Scott Gregory to bring the score to 19-14. The Blitzboks will conclude their pool stage with a game against Great Britain, scheduled for 7.41pm on Saturday evening.
With two wins from two and a growing sense of momentum, the Blitzboks will head into their final pool match brimming with confidence. If they can carry this intensity into the evening clash with Great Britain, South Africa will fancy their chances of making a serious push for the title on home soil.
IOL Sport