South Africa on Saturday made a blistering start in defense of their home sevens rugby title by dispatching the US, Kenya and Wales to cruise into the quarterfinals.
A week after winning the second leg of the world series in Dubai, an unchanged South Africa conceded only one try and tallied 16.
“We could be a little sharper in attack,” South Africa coach Neil Powell said.
South Africa, only two points behind Fiji in the series standings, were scheduled to play England yesterday. The other quarterfinals see Fiji take on Australia, New Zealand challenge the US, and Argentina play Scotland.
The tournament hosts had already qualified for the last eight going into the last match of the day against Wales, who needed to win to advance. However, Wales were never in it, as South Africa won 36-0.
The opening try by Cecil Afrika, five years after his debut, made him South Africa’s highest point-scorer in series history, with three more than Fabian Juries’ total of 925. Seabelo Senatla claimed a hat trick of tries, giving him a tournament-best six for the day, and a series-leading 19.
Welsh disappointment was countered by American joy. The US were runners-up to South Africa in their pool, crushing Wales and Kenya.
New Zealand were the other team to put on a show, defeating Samoa and Japan to advance, then beating England 5-0 in a thriller.
The Kiwis endured a man in the sin-bin in the first half, and watched Tim Mikkelson cut down England captain Tom Mitchell just short of the tryline after a 70m break, to preserve a 0-0 score at halftime.
Joe Webber scored the only try of the game with just four minutes to go, and bombed a second chance two minutes later. England countered but ran out of time.
Fiji also swept its pool games against France, Canada and Scotland, but suffered a blow when star Semi Kunitani suffered concussion during the Canada game, was taken off on a stretcher, and ruled out of the tournament.
Canada blew a chance to join Fiji in the quarterfinals, as they let slip a 21-0 halftime lead against France, losing 24-21.
Instead, Scotland advanced on points difference by staying close to Fiji in their match.
Fiji led 19-7 at halftime, and Scotland scored the only points in the second spell, with Damien Hoyland going over with 10 seconds left.
Argentina and Australia, the runners-up in Dubai, had qualified before they met, and Argentina made no contest of their pool closer.
Alex Muller scored one of the tries of the day in the 31-21 win when he took a pass on halfway, accelerated around Tom Cusack, left James Stannard whiffing at air, and beat Cameron Clark to the line.
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Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter is being criminally investigated by the IRS, and the attorney for his alleged bookmaker said Thursday that the ex-Los Angeles Dodgers employee placed bets on international soccer — but not baseball. The IRS confirmed Thursday that interpreter Ippei Mizuhara and Mathew Bowyer, the alleged illegal bookmaker, are under criminal investigation through the agency’s Los Angeles Field Office. IRS Criminal Investigation spokesperson Scott Villiard said he could not provide additional details. Mizuhara, 39, was fired by the Dodgers on Wednesday following reports from the Los Angeles Times and ESPN about his alleged ties to an illegal bookmaker and debts well
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