By Mark Etheridge
The Blitzboks started their quest for an eighth consecutive HSRC World Sevens final in emphatic fashion with eight tries and a half-century tally of points against Japan in Singapore on Saturday.
They beat the ‘Brave Blossoms’ in a 52-0 whitewash to open their Pool B campaign.
Neil Powell’s men lead 21-0 at halftime after action-man Werner Kok opened the scoring after just a minute of play.
Branco du Preez converted for a 7-0. The long-haired playmaker was in excellent kicking form as well as he added two more conversions totwo more tries by Siviwe Soyizapi.
The second half saw Kok again opening the scoring, the five-pointer his 21st try of the season.
Big Dylan Sage then got on the scoresheet before Soyizwapi crossed for his hat-trick.
But the Blitzboks weren’t done yet and added two more. The first was by Zain Davids, the Western Cape player’s debut World Series try leading to him being mobbed by celebrating team-mates.
The Japanese torture wasn’t over though and after the hooter it was Sandile Ngcobo who crossed and his was the only try not converted in a consummate Blitzboks performance.
They next play France (9.04am SA time) and then England (1.02pm) in Saturday’s other Pool B fixtures.
The French had earlier surprised England in their Pool B clash mean England are going to be under big pressure in their remaining games against Japan and the Blitzboks.
Picture of hat-trick hero Soyizwapi courtesy of Getty Images