The Blitzboks scored two tries in the final two minutes against Kenya to secure a 26-22 win. The Blitzboks will face New Zealand on Sunday morning at 08:00 (SA Time).
The Blitzboks started like a house on fire, and Selvyn Davids sniped from behind a strong scrum to score the opening try. Tristan Leyds converted to give the Blitzboks an early 07-00 lead. Three minutes later, the big boys from Kenya stepped past several tackles to score their first try, cutting the Blitzboks' lead to just two points. Kenya did not waste time and scored their second try a minute later, to lead 12-05 with a minute still to play in the first half. Donavan Don outsprinted the Kenyan defence out wide to score the Blitzboks’ second try. Leyds converted to edge the Blitzboks 14-12 into the lead at the halftime break.
Kenya retook the lead 17-14 with a well-worked try after two minutes of play in the second half. With the Blitzboks under pressure, they received a yellow card with three minutes still to play in the second half. Kenya. Kenya went blind off a big scrum to score their fourth try, extending their lead to 22-14 and two minutes to play. The Blitzboks struck back immediately when Quewin Nortje gathered his own kick to score the Blitzboks third try, cutting Kenya’s lead to just 22-21. With time up on the clock, Siviwe Soyizwapi crashed over under the sticks to secure the Blitzboks a place in the semi-finals against the All Blacks at 08:00 (SA time) on Sunday morning.
Scorers:
Blitzboks: Tries: Selvyn Davids, Donavan Don, Quewin Nortje, Siviwe Soyizwapi. Conversions: Tristan Leyds (2), Ronald Brown.
Kenya: Tries: John Ohoth Okeyo, Denis Abukuse, Kevin Wekesa Nyongesa, Festus Shiasi Safari. Conversion: Nygel Pettersan Amaitsa.
Teams
Blitzboks: Ryan Oosthuizen, Zain Davids, Impi Visser, Donovan Don, Tristan Leyds, Shilton van Wyk, Selvyn Davids. Replacements: Quewin Nortje, Siviwe Soyizwapi, Jayden Nell, Ronald Brown.
Kenya: John Ohoth Okeyo, Kevin Wekesa Nyongesa, Vincent Onyala Owino, Samuel Mosiori Asati, Nygel Pettersan Amaitsa, Denis Abukuse, Festus Shiasi Safari. Replacements: Brian Tanga, Floyd Wabwire, Gabriel Ayimba, David Nyagige, George Ooro Angeyo.