Hong Kong 7s: Blitzboks condemn Shujaa to third group loss

The men’s national rugby 7s side Shujaa were left without answers for a third straight group game in the ongoing Hong Kong 7s as they suffered another loss in Group D after going down 17-26 against South Africa to finish bottom of the pool.

Seeking for nothing else but pride in the African derby against South Africa after their 29-5 and 26-14 defeats against New Zealand and Ireland respectively, the Damian McGrath currently coached side failed to once again spark in the match.

After a physical start to the game where Shujaa had managed to come through unscathed, it is the Blitzboks who hit twice within a matter of minutes to open a 14-0 lead to put themselves in the driving seat of the contest.

The first try came with some stroke of luck as the ball unfortunately came off Alvin Otieno’s feet when the South African’s elected to kick it behind the defensive line. Shaun Williams benefitted from the error as he opened the scoring with the first try that was easily converted by Ricardo Duarttee.

Hong Kong 7s: Uncovincing Shujaa knocked out of main cup contention after Ireland loss

Straight from the restart, Siviwe Soyizwapi finished off the perfect restart as he claimed the kick before breezing past the Kenyans without a finger laid on him to extend the lead to 14-0 following another Duarttee conversion.

Christie Grobelaar made it 19-0 for South Africa as he beat his markers yet again but the conversion was unsuccessful.

At the start of the second half, Nelson Oyoo, whose effort was not converted, touched down at the corner to record Kenya’s first points on the board but another error allowed South Africa to open the lead to 5-26 as Donovan Don raced clear to touch down between the sticks as Williams easily converted.

Jeff Oluoch, who was returning to the squad, and Billy Odhiambo managed to cut down the deficit with two late unconverted tries but the damage had already been done as South Africa held on for the 17-26 victory to qualify for the main cup alongside leaders New Zealand.

With the result, Shujaa who are battling relegation, will now drop to the playoff places looking for maximum points to salvage their desperate situation.

Hong Kong 7s Results

New Zealand 29 – 5 Kenya

Ireland 26 – 14 Kenya

South Africa 26-17 Kenya