ARGENTINA SHOCK BOK SEVENS IN LONDON
South Africa failed to advance to the semi-finals of the Emirates Airline London Sevens tournament after Argentina beat them 12-0 in a scrappy Cup Quarter-final match at Twickenham.
The Springbok Sevens were installed as firm favourites after England scored an upset 17-12 win over New Zealand. SA appeared in the Cup final of the previous three tournaments.
South Africa had a confident first day but started nervously against the Pumas, going behind to a Lucas Gonzales Amorosino try early on.
Ramiro del Busto made it 12-0 at the break with a fine converted try..
The match was a scrappy affair and SA struggled to break the Pumas’ stronghold at the breakdown and in defence and they were starved of any good possession and space.
Earlier England delivered the shock of the tournament with a hard fought 17-12 win over favourites New Zealand.
Fiji also made it through the last four thanks to try in the dying second of the match which denied Scotland a famous victory. The islanders won 19-17 to book a semi-final spot against Argentina.
Cup Quarter-final results:
England 17, New Zealand 12
Samoa 17, Portugal 7
Fiji 19, Scotland 17
Argentina 12, South Africa 0
Cup Semi-final draw:
England vs. Samoa (17h44)
Fiji vs. Argentina (18h06)
SAMOA LONDON SEVENS CHAMPION
Samoa claimed the Emirates Airline London Sevens title with a tough 19-14 victory over rivals Fiji at Twickenham this evening. New Zealand won the Plate Final 19-12 against South Africa and also wrapped up the IRB World Series for a successful defence of their title.
Samoa led 19-7 at halftime.
The Kiwi’s, having conceded a penalty try in the first minute against SA, went into halftime 12-7 up thanks to tries from Tomasi Cama (converted) and Lote Raikabula.
After the restart MJ Mentz put South Africa level at 12-12 after a long range effort, winning the race to the try line against Nigel Hunt.
However, Hunt had the last laugh as he sliced through the SA defence with seconds left on the clock to score under the posts to secure victory and the Plate for the Kiwi’s.
Earlier home side England beat New Zealand to progress to the Cup semi-finals, but South Africa's subsequent 12-0 loss against Argentina meant that New Zealand's Series defence was confirmed.
South Africa's early form made them overwhelming favourites to take the London title but they were thwarted in their first match on day two by a superb Puma display. The South Americans never allowed the Bok Sevens any space and forced the SA team into costly errors..
The popular Series ends next week in Edinburgh.
Results
Shield Final Spain 10, Kenya 7
Bowl Final Australia 19, Wales 12
Plate Final New Zealand 19, South Africa 12
Cup Final Samoa 19, Fiji 14
