Kenya down Blitzboks in African derby

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The Blitzboks need a win from their final Pool A match at the Dubai Sevens to keep their cup playoff hopes alive after a shock defeat to Kenya on Saturday.

Kenya, returning to the series circuit, stunned the defending champions with a 17-0 half-time lead thanks to tries from Kevin Wekesa, Nigel Pettersan Amaitsa, and Patrick Odongo.

Tristan Leyds sparked South Africa’s fightback with a second-half try, and Donovan Don added another after a penalty. Leyds later leveled the score at 17-17, but missed conversions proved costly as the game went to sudden death.

Amaitsa secured Kenya’s 22-17 victory with a controversial try awarded by the TMO.

The Blitzboks, who kicked off their title defence with a 17-0 win against Australia, face France at 6:44pm.

Head coach Philip Snyman, though, will be sweating over the availability of Ryan Oosthuizen after the veteran was carted off the field.

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Photo: Juan Jose Gasparini/Gallo Images

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