South Africa moved into their seventh consecutive World Sevens series semifinal, with a nail-biting 21-19 win over the All Blacks in the Hong Kong Sevens on Sunday morning.
Werner Kok scored a crucial try when it mattered to give the Blitzboks the victory, one which is significant as they are without several top players through injury and Super Rugby call-ups.
The Blitzboks will now play USA, who scored a sensational win over England in their semifinal at 9.51am (CAT, GMT+2). The game will be live on SuperSport 5. (WON this as well so will meet Fiji in final)
Chris Dry opened the scoring after Dylan Sage ripped a hole open in the defence early in the first half, with Dry powering himself over with a leg drive for the opening score.
But the Kiwis struck back twice late in the half – first through Regan Ware and then after a yellow card for a high tackle by Sage, a counter-attack by Sione Molia to leave the Kiwis 12-7 up at the break.
It was the veteran Cecil Afrika, who took an outside gap to give the Blitzboks a narrow 14-12 lead with the clock ticking down.
Tim Agaba was held up on the line but Kok grappled the ball back and planted it over the line with 45 seconds to go, with Afrika slotting a big conversion to make sure of the win.
Sam Dickson scored a try after the hooter but it was too little too late for the Kiwis.
Australia face Fiji in the other semifinal.
