The Blitzboks secured a statement 33-14 win against Spain 33-14 in their opening match of the HSBC 7s Perth tournament at the HBF Park.
Spain started the match playing in their own half, and a loose pass was intercepted by Shilton van Wyk to score an early try. Ricardo Duarttee converted.
The Blitzboks attacked from the kickoff, and brilliant hands put David Brits in space out wide to score their second try to extend their lead to 12-00.
Spain scored their first try, cutting the Blitzboks’ defence in the middle, and Jeremy Trevithick crossed under the sticks. Captain Juan Ramos converted to cut the Blitzboks’ lead to 12-07 at the halftime break.
Spain started like a house on fire in the second half and exposed the Blitzboks’ defence out wide, and Jeremy Trevithick scored Spain’s second try. Ramos converted to edge Spain in the lead 14-12.
The Blitzboks replied immediately, and great interplay and handling led to Zain Davids scoring. Duarttee converted to edge the Blitzboks 19-14 into the lead with three minutes still to play.
Zander Reynders finished off a great attack by the Blitzboks off a good scrum, which Durttee converted. A minute later, the Blitzboks attacked from another scrum, and Luan Gillomee scored his first try for the Blitzboks. Donovan Don converted both tries to secure a statement 33-14 win over Spain.
The Blitzboks will face Argentina (09:14) and Fiji (12:52) later today.
Scorers:
Blitzboks: Tries: Shilton van Wyk, David Brits, Zain Davids. Conversions: Ricardo Duarttee (2), Donavan Don (2)
Spain: Tries: Jeremy Trevithick. Conversions: Juan Ramos
Teams:
Blitzboks: Ryan Oosthuizen, David Brits, Christie Grobbelaar, Sebastiaan Jobb, Tristan Leyds, Shilton van Wyk, Ricardo Duarttee. Replacements: Donavan Don, Luan Giliomee, Zander Reynders, Renaldo Young, Zain Davids.
Spain: Enrique Bolinches, Josep Serres, Martin Sorreluz Uria, Jeremy Trevithick, Francisco Cosculluela, Juan Ramos, Jaime Manteca. Replacements: Angel Bozal, Anton Legorburu Anso, Roberto Ponce, Gabriel Rocaries, Eduardo Lopez.