The Blitzboks beat Argentina 17-7 in the Cup semi-final on Saturday to qualify for the Dubai Sevens decider.

With the result, the Blitzboks not only advance to the Cup final later this afternoon, but chalk up a record-breaking 17th consecutive win in the World Rugby Sevens series. The previous record was 16 straight victories set by the South Africans in the 2008-09 season.

The Blitzboks will face the USA, who beat Fiji 21-19 in the second semi-final.

The Blitzboks have made a habit out of starting strongly at this tournament. But, in this semi-final, they were forced to fight back after conceding the first try to Argentina. Their breakdown accuracy and discipline let them down during that period.

Fortunately, the Blitzboks are also in the habit of clinical execution whenever needed and they did just that at the end of a stanza. Series debutant Shilton van Wyk scored shortly before half time to help his side equalise and he, too, was swamped by his teammates in celebration of his first-ever try.

South Africa started the second half better than they did the first, as skipper Siviwe Soyizwapi, who has been one of the standouts at this tournament, ran on to a 50-metre pass from Ronald Brown to score the try that put his team in the lead for the first time.

Argentina continued to create scoring opportunities, but South Africa’s breakdown prowess suddenly came into play as they won a couple of try-saving penalties close to their own tryline.

The game was then sealed by a defensive penalty deep in their own half, with JC Pretorius dancing around a couple of defenders before pinning his ears to run the length of the field for a brilliant solo try to round off another solid Blitzbok performance.