The Blitzboks took revenge for last weekend’s pool defeat to the British in Dubai, although they ended up winning the desert tournament, which means Saturday’s top-eigh win was their ninth consecutive in the last fortnight.
South Africa will face Samoa in the second semi-final on Sunday at 15h46, and the first top-four clash is between New Zealand and the USA at 15h24.
The Blitzboks drew first blood when Ryan Oosthuizen scored in the fifth minute from a ruck turnover before they sent the ball wide, with the big forward racing 50m downfield for the try under the uprights.
However, Great Britain hit back after the buzzer, exploiting a couple of missed tackles with Morgan Williams’ converted try levelling the scores at the break.
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Ricardo Duarttee restored the Blitzboks’ seven point lead with a great step and acceleration to score under the posts, adding his second conversion to make it 14-7 with five minutes to go.
But like it happened in the first half, the British soon hit back, again slipping past a South African defender out wide for a converted try to Femi Sofolarin with three minutes left on the clock.
Dalvon Blood then made it 21-14 for the Blitzboks with a great try out wide – brilliantly converted by Duarttee – after JC Pretorius and later Zain Davids made good ground with strong runs.
Scorers:
Springbok Sevens 21 (7) – Tries: Ryan Oosthuizen, Ricardo Duarttee, Dalvon Blood. Conversions: Duarttee (3).
Great Britain 14 (7) – Tries: Morgan Williams, Femi Sofolarin. Conversions: Tom Emery (2)
