Blitzboks’ Hong Kong hoodoo continues

South Africa’s bid for a season-opening World Sevens Series title ended on Sunday after Fiji maintained their winning streak against the Blitzboks at the Hong Kong Sevens leg.

Two first-half tries from the Fijians in the second cup quarter-final of the day were enough to edge the South Africans, who have still yet to beat the Islanders in the popular leg of the circuit.

The Blitzboks trailed the Fijians 12-0 after a tight opening exchange, but a loose pass gave Fiji the easiest of tries to take a 5-0 lead, and they scored another after the clock turned red in the half.

Joseava Talacolo dribbled through to score in the right corner before Jeremaia Matana capitalised from a failed cheeky kickoff from SA.

Blitzbok skipper Soviwe Soyizwapi powered his way over midway through the second half, and Selvyn Davids added the extras to close the gap to five points, but the Fijians withstood a late rally to hold on for a 12-7 victory.

Pulling out all the football skills 🇫🇯@fijirugby are through to the semi-finals after edging past South Africa#HSBC7s | #HK7s pic.twitter.com/071MDf9Ye6
— HSBC SVNS (@SVNSSeries) November 6, 2022

Photo: Twitter/@Blitzboks