The Blitzboks needed a try from playmaker Tristan Leyds deep into extra time to break the deadlock and secure a tense 17-12 victory over Great Britain in their opening pool match of the Valladolid Sevens in Spain on Friday afternoon.
The series-leading Springbok Sevens were determined to avoid the slow start that almost proved costly in the opening leg of the World Championship in Hong Kong. However, they were once again hampered by uncharacteristically sloppy play, which Great Britain punished to take an early 5-0 lead at the Estadio José Zorrilla.
South Africa hit back almost immediately through leading points and try-scorer Shilton van Wyk. The speedster ran the length of the field to score under the posts after collecting a superb pass from Leyds inside the South African 22, with the successful conversion locking the scores.
The teams went into the break level at 7-7, with a well-organised South African defence proving to be their saving grace in an otherwise error-strewn first half.
The Blitzboks were vastly improved in the second stanza and scored the opening points of the half when Sebastiaan Jobb dotted down, chasing down a well-weighted kick behind the Great Britain defence. Dewald Human added the extras to make it 14-7.
Philip Snyman’s charges appeared to be in control before a fortunate bounce of the ball saw Ricky Duarttee collide with the post as Great Britain crossed and converted to level matters at 14-14, sending the match into sudden-death extra time.
Leyds then turned from provider to scorer, slicing through a stretched defence as the Blitzboks worked the ball fluidly from right to left to seal the dramatic victory.
The Bok Sevens will know a marked improvement is required for their second Pool A clash against African rivals Kenya, who were uncharacteristically unlucky to lose their own opener against Australia in extra time.
