The Blitzboks claimed a 24-7 victory over the USA to ensure a third-place finish in the bronze final at the Paris Sevens on Sunday. DYLAN JACK reports.
The Americans came into the match looking for a response after losing out to Fiji in the race for the World Rugby Sevens Series title.
Despite a fast start, thanks to an early Perry Baker try, they were well matched by the South Africans, with Muller du Plessis scoring a brace of tries.
It marks a solid end to a good campaign for the Blitzboks, who did what they needed to do by finishing fourth on the overall series table and qualifying for the 2020 Olympic Games.
The turning point came when the USA received a blow when Baker was yellow carded just before the break for an intentional knock down. Ryan Oosthuizen punished the infringement with an excellent try to give the Blitzboks a 12-7 lead at half-time.
The Blitzboks extended their lead in the second half when Cecil Afrika went close to the line, before Werner Kok spread the ball to Phillip Snyman, who grounded the ball in the corner.
Du Plessis then went over for his brace, making it a 17-point deficit to all but seal the game with 30 seconds left on the clock.
Photo: @Blitzboks/Twitter
