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Rugby | Sevens
Blitzbokke into Dubai semis
by Brenden Nel 30 November 2013
Springbok Sevens halfback Branco du Preez produced an exceptional sidestep to seal a good victory over Kenya and move his team into the semifinals of the Dubai Sevens on Saturday.
With the scores at 14-12, after the Kenyans rallied back from 14-0 down at the break, there was a real danger that Paul Treu’s side may be able to score an upset over their African counterparts, but Du Preez burst through with less than a minute to go, stepped off his left foot and left the defence for dead in what was the winning try.
The Blitzbokke will now face England in the semifinals later on Saturday while Kenya have been dispatched to the Plate tournament. England beat Wales 33-12 in their semifinal and have a mental edge over the Blitzbokke having beaten them 47-0 in their third-fourth place playoff in the Gold Coast Sevens.
The game started off well for the Blitzbokke, who continued on their path after a great day one to produce 16 passes before Kenya even touched the ball. In that period both Sampie Mastriet and Frankie Horne crossed the whitewash to give the Blitzbokke a healthy lead.
But in the second half Kenya managed to keep the ball and found holes in the South African defence. Feliz Ayange went over from close range and when Kenya grabbed the ensuing kickoff, Oscar Ayodi went in at the corner.
It left the score at 14-12 and would have had the Blitzbokke worried – especially as two of their stars Stephan Dippenaar and Jamba Ulengo both are struggling with injury and cannot play.
But Du Preez snuck in for the winner, giving coach Neil Powell the edge in the first of what promises to be many battles with his former mentor.
In the other quarterfinals, World Champions New Zealand edged Argentina 26-19 while Fiji beat Scotland 26-14.
CUP SEMIFINALS (All times GMT+2, CAT)
3.29pm New Zealand v Fiji
3.51pm South Africa v England
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by Brenden Nel 30 November 2013
Springbok Sevens halfback Branco du Preez produced an exceptional sidestep to seal a good victory over Kenya and move his team into the semifinals of the Dubai Sevens on Saturday.
With the scores at 14-12, after the Kenyans rallied back from 14-0 down at the break, there was a real danger that Paul Treu’s side may be able to score an upset over their African counterparts, but Du Preez burst through with less than a minute to go, stepped off his left foot and left the defence for dead in what was the winning try.
The Blitzbokke will now face England in the semifinals later on Saturday while Kenya have been dispatched to the Plate tournament. England beat Wales 33-12 in their semifinal and have a mental edge over the Blitzbokke having beaten them 47-0 in their third-fourth place playoff in the Gold Coast Sevens.
The game started off well for the Blitzbokke, who continued on their path after a great day one to produce 16 passes before Kenya even touched the ball. In that period both Sampie Mastriet and Frankie Horne crossed the whitewash to give the Blitzbokke a healthy lead.
But in the second half Kenya managed to keep the ball and found holes in the South African defence. Feliz Ayange went over from close range and when Kenya grabbed the ensuing kickoff, Oscar Ayodi went in at the corner.
It left the score at 14-12 and would have had the Blitzbokke worried – especially as two of their stars Stephan Dippenaar and Jamba Ulengo both are struggling with injury and cannot play.
But Du Preez snuck in for the winner, giving coach Neil Powell the edge in the first of what promises to be many battles with his former mentor.
In the other quarterfinals, World Champions New Zealand edged Argentina 26-19 while Fiji beat Scotland 26-14.
CUP SEMIFINALS (All times GMT+2, CAT)
3.29pm New Zealand v Fiji
3.51pm South Africa v England
