The Blitzboks blew arch-rivals Fiji away 19-0 with a commanding defensive and attacking display to book their place in the semifinal of the HSBC SVNS Perth at HBF Park on Saturday. They will face hosts Australia in today’s semifinal.
The Blitzboks had gone through the first two matches unbeaten, despite close calls against USA (24-19) and hosts Australia (10-7). They lost 19-17 to defending champions Argentina in their last pool game.
But they were near-perfect in dismantling the tricky Fijians, who had endured a mixed bag of results. The Fijians recovered from a shock earlier 24-17 loss to Uruguay with a 33-5 win against New Zealand to book their place in the Cup quarterfinals.
But they were no match for the intensity of the Blitzboks.
Cape Town Sevens champions South Africa took the early lead with a Shilton van Wyk try after slick build-up play.
Selvyn Davids then chipped ahead on the left touchline after the ball spilled free from a ruck in the opposite corner of the Fijian 22. He did well to gather his own kick under pressure to put the Blitzboks 12-0 ahead.
The Fijians were struggling to get a grip on the game in the face of a swarming South African defence that was well organised. Zain Davids was once again immense in attack and on defence.
Selvyn Davids also pulled off a try-saving tackle on Iowane Teba, with a Fiji player getting a yellow for kicking the ball away in the aftermath.
Van Wyk thought he had scored again for the Blitzboks after a clever Selvyn Davids chip kick put him through but his effort was ruled out because he had put a foot in touch.
South Africa went into the half-time break 12-0 up.
There was an early second-half yellow for South Africa’s Ronald Brown for a high tackle as Fiji pressed.
But it was the Blitzboks who landed the next blow, which proved decisive. Selvyn Davids chased down a Brits hack upfield from near the South African tryline to force a penalty close to the Fijian posts.
A quick tap taken by South Africa was held up close to the tryline – illegally so. Fiji were shown another yellow and South Africa were awarded the penalty try for the professional foul (19-0).
Hapless Fiji were pegged back with more ferocious tackling from the Blitzboks, and didn’t look like scoring. The Blitzboks gave their bench players a run, and rested some of their standout players as the match wound to an inevitable conclusion. However, there was no drop in intensity from the South African side.
Impi Visser won a turnover on the ground with more great defensive work at the ruck from South Africa.
The Blitzboks were in control and the Fijians looked a beaten foe. The hooter sounded with another Visser steal at the ruck ensuring Fiji would not get on scoreboard.
It was an emphatic victory for South Africa, who will face the hosts today.
The Aussies beat France 24-12 in the later Cup quarter-final, roared on by the home fans.
The semifinal will be a repeat of a close pool encounter edged by the South African side, who also enjoy plenty of support in Perth from a strong expat contingent.
They had seemed to be coasting to the win but almost left the door open for the hosts to sneak a win, and will need to show the focus and intensity of the triumph over Fiji if they are to reach the final.
Defending champions Argentina fought back to beat Great Britain 27-14 and set up a semifinal against Spain yesterday. The Spaniards thumped surprise package Uruguay 38-0 in their quarter-final showdown.
Scorers:
SA - Tries: Penalty try, Shilton van Wyk, Selvyn Davids. Conversion: Ronald Brown.