The Blitzboks looked as if they would continue their horrible efforts when they played France in their first match of the HSBC Sevens - Vancouver, however, a great comeback late in the second half secured a 19-19 draw.
The Blitzboks were dominated in the first half as the French scored three unanswered tries in the first half to lead the Blitzboks 19-00 going into the second half.
All seemed lost to the Blitzboks before Ricardo Duartee burst through to open the scoring for the Blitzboks with 4 minutes to go in the match. Captain Siviwe Soyizwapi then step up to score two tries, with the last one after time was already up, to pull of a brave 19-19 draw with France.
Scorers:
Blitzboks: Tries: Ricardo Duarttee, Siviwe Soyizwapi (2). Conversions: Ricardo Duarttee.
France: Tries: Theo Forner (2), Leraitre Paul. Conversions: Stephen Parez Edo Martin (2)
Teams:
Blitzboks: Zain Davids, Impi Visser, Christie Grobbelaar, Siviwe Soyizwapi, Mfundo Ndhlovu, Shilton van Wyk, Ricardo Duarttee. Replacements: Ryan Oosthuizen, James Murphy, Gurswin Wehr, Noegh Hayward.
France: Jonathan Laugel, Jordan Sepho, Leraitre Paul, Stephen Parez Edo Martin, Paulin Riva, Varian Pasquet, Theo Forner. Replacements: Jean Pascal Barraque, William Iraguha, Joris Simon, Thomas Carol, Andy Timo.