Blitzboks' Hong Kong Curse Continues
The Blitzboks failed to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Hong Kong Sevens after losing their final pool match to New Zealand on Saturday.
Having beaten Uruguay 40-7 before losing 26-7 to Australia on Friday, the Springbok Sevens needed at least a narrow defeat to sneak into the playoffs.
But a 17-7 loss to their arch-rivals saw them miss out.
The Blitzboks, looking to win the Hong Kong Sevens title for the first time in 30 attempts, were unable to capitalise on a couple of attacking opportunities in the first five minutes of the match, with the New Zealanders counter-rucking well to win a penalty when under big pressure.
The All Blacks Sevens then took charge when Cody Vai bounced off a defender to score in the left-hand corner and Dylan Collier went over for a converted try to make it 12-0 at the break.New Zealand extended their lead to 17 points three minutes into the second half when Amanaki Nicole handed off Ricardo Duarttee on his way to the tryline,