By Brenden Nel.
Too many errors and not enough strikepower. That was the telling storyline as the Springbok Sevens team went down 12-7 to HSBC World Series log leaders New Zealand in their second pool game at the Hong Kong Sevens on Saturday morning.
While dominating much of the play, the Blitzboks struggled to find a way through the All Black defence, something their opponents didn’t struggle with when they had the little ball they had.
While they had most of the attacking opportunities in both halves, a try to Mfundo Ndhlovu was the only reward they had to show for it while New Zealand scored with the first touch of the ball when Leroy Carter showed a magnificent turn of speed to score in a try started within his own 22 metre area.
The second half saw the Blitzboks make basic handling errors at crucial times, and the All Blacks seized on the opportunity to put Cody Vai away for the second try.
From there, the All Blacks held on to win a close game, but one which the Blitzboks will be kicking themselves for letting get away.
They now face Kenya at 9.25am and need a victory to be in a position to qualify for the Cup quarterfinals on Sunday. Kenya lost both their opening games to New Zealand and Ireland while the Blitzboks beat Ireland on day one.
If New Zealand beat Ireland, a victory will be enough to see the Blitzboks through to the quarters. But Kenya beat the Blitzboks in Vancouver, so it won’t be an easy match.