Blitzboks set up NZ final

The Blitzboks will face New Zealand in the Cup final of the Wellington Sevens after securing a comprehensive 31-0 win over Fiji on Sunday. CRAIG LEWIS reports.

After suffering an agonising defeat to the Kiwis in their final match of day one, the Blitzboks will be relishing the opportunity to produce a redemptive performance.

Both the Blitzboks and New Zealand progressed to the final after convincing semi-final performances, with the hosts comfortably overcoming England, while South Africa thrashed Fiji.

The Springboks Sevens produced a textbook performance against the islanders, running in five tries, while keeping their ever-dangerous opponents scoreless.

Clinical on attack and accurate on defence, the Blitzboks left Fiji ragged and rattled, with superb tries from Seabelo Senatla and Cheslin Kolbe opening up a 12-0 lead at half-time.

Rosko Specman, Kwagga Smith and Kolbe then all scored in a one-sided second stanza as the Blitzboks completed one of their most impressive all-round performances in recent memory.

There had already been positive signs of the Blitzboks’ impressive form in the earlier quarter-final, with a brace of tries from Senatla enabling his side to comfortably claim a 26-14 win over Australia.

Photo: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images

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