Ricardo Duarttee scored two tries and set up another as the Blitzboks fought to a thrilling victory over Samoa to set up a semi-final meeting with New Zealand at the Dubai Sevens on Saturday.
Having trailed Samoa twice in the match, the Springbok Sevens side showed incredible composure to stay in the fight and snatch a 24-19 victory thanks to a last-minute try from substitute James Murphy.
In his debut tournament for the Blitzboks, Duarttee scored a try and set up Muller du Plessis in the first half to deadlock the scores at 12-12 at the break. After conceding the penalty from which Samoa took a 19-12 lead early in the second half, Duarttee immediately atoned as he sprinted over the tryline from a quick-tap penalty from a five-metre scrum.
“I believe we will lift this cup” ?
Ricardo Duarttee knows @Blitzboks are just two matches from #Dubai7s glory after victory against Samoa#HSBC7s pic.twitter.com/Xu4IRKGp7P
— World Rugby 7s (@WorldRugby7s) December 3, 2022
After scoring the winning try in the final pool match against Australia, substitute Dalvon Blood made another excellent impact by winning two successive breakdown penalties, as the Blitzboks saw off the closing stages to secure the quarter-final win.
South Africa will face in-form New Zealand in the semi-finals as 12.39pm on Saturday.
Photo: Christopher Pike/Getty Images
