Blitzboks rally to book Dubai final spot

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Defending champions South Africa will face Ireland in an exciting finale to the Dubai Sevens after an injury time try from Shilton van Wyk clinched victory against New Zealand on Saturday.

Trailing the Kiwis 12-0 at half time in the second Cup semi-final, the Blitzboks scored 26 points to book their place in the showpiece of the second leg of the 2022-23 World Sevens Series.

New Zealand opened the scoring in the corner via powerful winger Caleb Tangitau,with the South Africans slipping tackles as the Kiwis looked to exploit space out wide.

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Blitzboks playmaker Dewald Human limped off after making a good covering tackle and Tangitau bagged a second on the buzzer to give New Zealand the advantage at the interval.

The South Africans made the perfect response after the break when Muller du Plessis pounced on a loose ball for a breakaway score, before the find of the weekend, Ricardo Duarttee, doubled their lead in fine fashion.

Akuila Rokolisoa hit back for the Kiwis to make it 19-14 with less than three minutes left to play, but then lost Amanaki Nicole to a yellow card, and Branco du Preez levelled the score to set up a nail-biting 26-19 finish to the 29th meeting between SA and New Zealand in the semi finals.

SA will face Ireland at 5:26pm in the tournament showpiece, after the Irish beat the USA in a 12-7 extra-time thriller.

Photo: Twitter/@Blitzboks

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Devin Hermanus