The Springbok Sevens team will play in a tenth consecutive HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series Cup quarter-final when they take on Scotland in the last eight of the HSBC Spain Sevens in Seville at 20h07 on Saturday (SA time) after topping Pool A with a hard-fought 24-19 win over the USA.
The Blitzboks beat Spain in their first game, and then maintained their winning streak against the USA in a win where the impact of their bench again proved instrumental.
Coach Neil Powell started with a number of players who had limited time on the field last weekend and they did not disappoint. Darren Adonis looked dangerous at centre and Shaun Williams, in his first start for the Blitzboks, scored two tries, the second securing the win late in the second half.
The first half was tight, with the USA twice taking the lead. Kevon Williams scored first for the USA, giving his side a 7-0 lead after coming off a good line, before Dewald Human spotted a ruck without a pillar defender for the USA, and snuck away to score under the sticks.
Branco du Preez levelled the scores with his conversion, but Kevon Williams again outfoxed the Blitzbok defence to take his side into a 12-7 lead at the break.
The second half saw the introduction of Selvyn Davids, JC Pretorius and Impi Visser, and they brought real stability on defence. Christie Grobbelaar scored to draw the scores level before Shaun Williams scored twice in three minutes to seal the win.
Perry Baker did race through in the last play of the match, but the win was secured for the Blitzboks.
Earlier, the Springbok Sevens scored 28 unanswered second-half points to storm back into their Pool A match at the Estadio Olimpico de la Cartjua in Seville on Saturday, beating hosts Spain by 33-12.
Scores were tied 7-7 at the break, but a try from the second half restart saw the Spanish take an unexpected 12-7 lead. The reply by the Blitzboks was brutal, though.
The victory means South Africa qualified for the Cup quarter-finals later on Saturday evening, with their final pool match against the USA (at 17h25 SA time) to determine which of the two sides will finish top of the log.
Spain came out with a purpose and asked a lot of questions of the Blitzbok defence in their clash at the HSBC Spain Sevens in Seville, but the hosts battled to find the final pass to cross the SA line.
Instead, after six minutes of play, it was Mfundo Ndhlovu who scored the opening try with a neat inside swerve. Branco du Preez converted, and the lead was 7-0.
From the restart though, and with seconds left on the clock, Spain won back possession and after a number of good probes, wing Pol Pla rounded the defence to score under the posts. Juan Ramos converted to draw scores level.
Spain had the perfect start to the second half. They once again won the restart and kept attacking down the blind side. That worked well and Enrique Bolinches scored in the corner to put the home side ahead by 12-7.
The home crowd was silenced soon after though as Selvyn Davids, who came onto the field in the second half, scored twice in two minutes to take back the momentum for the Blitzboks.
Ryan Oosthuizen then confirmed the swing in momentum after good build-up play by Shaun Williams, while Zain Davids came off a very handy angle to score the final try in the final minute of the match.
Scorers:
Blitzboks 33 (7) Spain 12 (7)
South Africa - Tries: Mfundo Ndhlovu, Selvyn Davids (2), Ryan Oosthuizen, Zain Davids. Conversions: Branco du Preez, Justin Geduld, Dewald Human (2).
Spain - Tries: Pol Pla, Enrique Bolinches. Conversion: Juan Ramos.
Blitzboks 24 (7) USA 19 (12)
South Africa - Tries: Dewald Human, Christie Grobbelaar, Shaun Williams (2). Conversions: Branco du Preez, Selvyn Davids.
USA - Tries: Kevon Williams (2), Perry Baker. Conversions: Steve Tomasin, David Still.