Shujaa crumble to third consecutive HSBC World Championship defeat to South Africa

Kenya Sevens national team, Shujaa, suffered yet another defeat to South Africa, going down 26-5 in their second Pool A match of the final leg of the HSBC World Championship in Bordeaux, France, on Friday, 5 June.

The result extended Kenya’s winless run against the Blitzboks in this season’s HSBC World Championship series.

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The two sides first met in Hong Kong, where South Africa edged Kenya 26-22 before recording a 14-0 victory in Spain.

Heading to the Friday contest, Kenya were rooted at the bottom of the pool without a point after losing their opening fixture to Fiji earlier in the day.

South Africa started brightly after George Selwood’s kick-off was well collected by David Nyangige.

Kenya initially made good ground through the powerful George Ooro, but a turnover handed possession back to the Blitzboks.

The South Africans capitalized immediately as Shilton van Wyk sliced through a gap between Festus Shiasi and Patrick Odongo to score the opening try.

The conversion attempt was unsuccessful, leaving South Africa 5-0 ahead.

Despite looking uncharacteristically scrappy at times, the Blitzboks remained clinical whenever opportunities presented themselves.

Van Wyk grabbed his second try of the match after breaking through Kenya’s defensive line from an inside angle before adding the conversion himself to stretch the lead to 12-0.

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South Africa continued their dominance after the restart.

Kenya kicked off the second half, but the Blitzboks quickly regained control despite being penalized for moving ahead of the kicker.

The match suffered a setback for Kenya when Odongo was forced off injured and replaced by Victor Mola.

South Africa soon added another score through Quewin Nortje, who beat Dennis Abukuse before crossing over for a converted try that pushed the score to 19-0.

With four minutes remaining, Nortje struck again, racing over for his second try of the encounter before the conversion made it 26-0.

Shujaa finally found a breakthrough in the closing stages.

Abukuse sparked the move before releasing Chrissant Ojwang, who quickly linked up with Ooro.

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The forward powered over for Kenya’s only try of the match, although the conversion was missed.

The late score proved only a consolation as South Africa sealed a comfortable 26-5 victory.

Shujaa will now turn their attention to their final pool match against Great Britain, scheduled for Saturday, June 6 at 11:44 pm.