The Springbok Sevens suffered a 26-21 defeat to Ireland on the opening day of the HSBC SVNS in Madrid and will have to win both remaining pool matches against New Zealand and Fiji on Saturday to remain in the race for the Grand Final title.
Blitzboks’ hearts broken
The Irish – trailing 14-7 at the break of the Pool B match against South Africa in the Civitas Metropolitano Stadium – overhauled the Blitzboks with a try two minutes into injury time in a match that had spectators at the edge of their seats throughout.
Tiaan Pretorius scored first after a delightful step past two Irish defenders, before Ireland got one back when Terry Kennedy kicked ahead and won the race to the South African tryline.
Tristan Leyds scored just before the break after a smooth backline move to restore the lead and when Quewin Nortje scored from the second half restart to put the Blitzboks 21-7 ahead, they were in the pound seats.
Credit to Ireland though.
First Zac Ward ran 70m after breaking three SA tackles before a Gavin Mullin brace broke South African hearts with two tries, the second of which came after a long passage of play with no time left on the clock.
The Blitzboks will face New Zealand at 13:44 (SA time) and Fiji at 16:49 (SA time) on Saturday, 1 June.
SCORERS
South Africa
Tries: Tiaan Pretorius, Tristan Leyds, Quewin Nortje
Conversions: Selvyn Davids, Leyds (2)
Ireland
Tries: Terry Kennedy, Zac Ward, Gavin Mullin (2)
Conversions: Billy Dardis, Hugo Lennox (2)