The Blitzboks held on with six men to earn a statement win against Ireland in their opening fixture of the Hong Kong Sevens on Friday.
In Philip Snyman’s first game as interim head coach, the Blitzboks beat second-ranked Ireland 22-17 after leading 17-0 at half time to get their Hong Kong tournament campaign off to a flying start.
Ryan Oosthuizen scored the Springbok Sevens’ fourth try, adding to scores from the returning Dewald Human, Quewin Nortje and Shilton van Wyk, to bring up a commanding 22-0 lead.
However, the game was turned on its head when playmaker Justin Geldud was sent off in the second half, shortly after Ireland got their first try of the match.
That left the Blitzboks a man short for the rest of the match and Ireland wasted little time in taking advantage, scoring their second try a minute after Geduld saw red.
However, South Africa managed to run the clock down, with Ireland getting a third try in the final minute of play, but running out of time to complete a potential comeback.
The Springbok Sevens will next play Spain at 8.23am on Friday morning.
Photo: Twitter (X)/@Blitzboks
The post Six-man Blitzboks stun Ireland appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Src: sarugbymag.co.za
