The Blitzboks make it two wins from two at the HSBC World Championship in Valladolid after a 14-0 victory over Kenya, setting up a pool decider against Australia on Saturday at 13h23.
The win was harder than the scoreline suggests. Kenya's Shujaa side, fighting for their World Series future with permanent status on the line, brought sustained physicality throughout. Two moments of individual quality ultimately separated the teams.
The first came deep in the first half when Shilton van Wyk read a Kenyan pass to intercept and run 50 metres for the opening try. The second arrived in the second half after Denis Abukuse was yellow-carded for a deliberate knock-on — though replays cast doubt on the ruling, suggesting contact came in the tackle on Tristan Lleyds rather than a deliberate act. Down to six men, Kenya could not hold out as Selvyn Davids produced a precise kick pass for Sebastian Jobb to collect on the wing and finish in the corner.
Kenya remain alive heading into their final pool match against Great Britain, needing a win to have any realistic shot at the quarterfinals. With the top eight securing World Series status for next season, the stakes are high for both sides still outside that bracket.
Australia arrive at the pool decider in strong form, having beaten Kenya in extra time via a golden try in their opener before accounting for Great Britain 26-19. The Blitzboks themselves required a golden try to edge Great Britain 17-12 in their first match.
In the women's draw, the Springbok Women's Sevens have lost both their opening matches, going down 26-12 to the USA following an identical 26-12 defeat to Australia in their opener.