Blitzboks on top Down Under

By Mark Etheridge

South Africa’s sevens rugby side got off to a winning start as the race to qualify for the 2016 Olympics in Rio kicked off at Gold Coast, Australia.
The first four sides in the 2014/15 IRB Sevens World Series claim automatic qualification for the Games.
Playing in Pool B at the Gold Coast 7’s Neil Powell’s men recorded wins over Wales and newcomers American Samoa in their first two games.
They beat danger side Wales 19-12 in their opening encounter and then whitewashed the Pacific Islanders 48-0 in their second match.
The Blitzboks led 14-0 at halftime through a penalty try and a Cecil Africa five-pointer and Seabelo Senatla, back from Currie Cup duties with Western Province went over in the second half.
In their second match, SA led 17-0 at the break before pulling away in the second half. Eight tries came the South African way with debutant Ruhan Nel the happiest man on the park with a hat-trick of his own.
Other try scorers were Kwagga Smith, Justin Geduld, Werner Kok (two) and Steven Hunt. Conversions came from Afrika and Branco du Preez (3).
Veteran Frankie Horne is making a 60th event appearance in the Series, a record for this version of the game.
Next up for the 2014 Commonwealth gold medallists are Kenya, coached by ex SA player and coach Paul Treu. Those two teams meet in the final Pool games.

Picture: Chris Dry on the attack for the Blitzboks in Gold Coast. Credit: IRB/Martin Seras Lima

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