Series champs Fiji, South Africa unbeaten at Cape Town 7s

By AP
Published

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) World series titleholder Fiji and on-form South Africa were unbeaten on Day 1 of the Cape Town Sevens on Saturday, while New Zealand also made the quarterfinals despite being held to a draw by Canada in pool play.

Fiji won three from three, although it was sternly tested by France in its final pool game and came from behind to win 28-19 and preserve its unbeaten status with two tries in the last two minutes.

South Africa opened with a 41-0 blowout over Russia at its home event, where it's the defending champion. Winner of this season's series-opening event in Dubai last weekend, South Africa went on to beat the United States 28-10 and Australia 29-7 at Cape Town Stadium.

New Zealand rebounded from the Canada result to beat England 33-7 with a big second-half performance. The New Zealanders pounced on two yellow cards for the English to score 26 points without reply in that second period and clinch top spot in the pool.

Scotland beat Samoa, Wales and Uganda to be the other pool winner.

Sunday's quarterfinal lineup is: South Africa vs. Wales, New Zealand vs. Kenya, Scotland vs. the United States, and Fiji vs. England.

Fiji lost to South Africa in the Dubai final and hasn't hit its champion form yet. The Fijians dispatched Japan 33-7 in their opener in Cape Town but had to battle hard to hold off Kenya 28-22 and needed late scores by Setareki Bituniyata and Jerry Tuwai to get past France after trailing 19-14.

South Africa's seven-tries-to-nil blitz of Russia showcased the home team's attacking play, led by speedster Seabelo Senatla, but the South Africans' defense has been a significant part of their early season success, and they conceded just three tries on the opening day.

The tournament began with a thriller as Scotland snatched a last-second 21-19 win over Samoa, with a try after the hooter by James Fleming. Scott Wright knocked over the conversion for the win. Scotland made a habit of narrow victories on the day, nearly blowing a 19-0 lead over Wales to sneak home 24-21 in their pool decider. The reward was avoiding home favorite South Africa in the quarters.