The Blitzboks recovered from their extra-time loss to Great Britain by beating Kenya 26-5 in their second pool match at the Bordeaux Sevens on Friday, keeping their World Championship hopes alive ahead of a decisive Saturday showdown with Fiji.
Shilton van Wyk and Quewin Nortje each crossed twice, with both players repeatedly backing their pace to beat the Kenyan defence. Van Wyk opened the scoring, spotting a gap and burning through for a try before doubling up four minutes later to put the Blitzboks 14-0 up at half-time. Nortje then dominated the second half in similar fashion, finishing with a composed conversion after identifying he had been left isolated in the corner, running back to dot down under the posts. Kenya's consolation try in the final play of the game made the scoreline 26-5 but did not reflect the Blitzboks' control of the match.
The stakes against Fiji are straightforward: a Blitzboks loss, combined with a Great Britain win over Kenya, would put their quarter-final qualification in jeopardy and effectively end their World Championship title bid. The match kicks off at 11:06am.
The South African Women's side endured a difficult day in Bordeaux, losing 42-0 to New Zealand after an earlier defeat to France. They face Argentina in their final pool game.