By Mark Etheridge
The Blitzboks are one game away from landing their first Hong Kong Sevens title, but it was touch and go in Sunday’s semi-final against the United States.
After looking comfortable with a 19-7 halftime lead, the American Eagles bounced back to square things up at 24-24 after the hooter had sounded.
Still, had Madison Hughes landed the conversion, the Blitzboks’ Hong Kong hoodoo would have continued.
Thankfully for Neil Powell’s men the conversion drifted wide and the match went into sudden-death play.
And there was no bigger smile in the stadium as Ruhan Nel dived over in spectacular fashion after good work from Cecil Africa had continued his good form earlier in the game. Final score 29-24.
The Blitzboks had led at the break after going down 0-7 to an early try by Hughes. They equalled through Siviwe Soyizwapi after a break down the left from Afrika. Big Dylan Sage used his bulk to barge over under the posts and skipper Phillip Snyman then used a neat step to go over to the right of the uprights to secure a 12-point gap.
They stretched that lead to 17 with Soyizwapi’s second try… but the Eagles clawed their way back into contention with three quick tries by Martin Iosefa, and a brace by speedster Perry Baker brought things all square.
Blitzboks hearts were in the mouths, but skipper Hughes’ missed conversion saw their dreams stay alive.
Now they face Fiji in the final, set to kick-off at 12.55pm South African time.