Kenya 7s suffered the first loss at the Dubai 7s after falling 27-12 to South Africa in the second Pool A match played at the Sevens Stadium.
Shujaa had an impressive run against Australia in the previous which saw them snap up a five match losing-streak in the 2023 series but needed a win having drawn 19-19 with the series leaders.
Eyeing quarters
They were up against South Africa who had lost their opener with both sides keen to revive their quarterfinal chances.
JC Pretorius scored Blitzbok’s first try of the match in the second minute. The lead doubled a minute later when Ryan Oosthuizen crossed over for the second try after a brilliant carry by Pretorius.
South Africa continued to stretched the lead further a try by Impi Visser for a 17-0 lead at halftime.
In the final half, Dewald Human added the fourth try while Kenya pulled back via Anthony Omondi’s try that Daniel Taabu converted.
Ricardo James Duarttee then danced past the defence and dived over for a try that send SA into wild celebrations. Dennis Abukuse scored his first ever World 7s Series try after a long sprint but could not change Kenya’s fortunes in the match.
Shujaa will face Great Britain in the final match of the group stage and will be keen to win to keep hope alive.
Other matches
Uganda suffered their second defeat after going down 33-15 against Ireland and are out of the cup contention.
New Zealand bounced back to winning ways after a 24-7 win over Fiji. The win has blown Pool B wide open with Argentina leading with sixth points after two straight wins after whipping Uruguay 49-0.
USA, Samoa, France have picked back to back back wins.
Dubai 7s playing schedule (Timings in EAT)
Friday 2 December
Ireland 21-21 Spain
USA 19-14 Canada
France 10-7 Uganda
Samoa 38-17 Japan
Argentina 31-28 New Zealand
Fiji 52-0 Uruguay
South Africa 7-14 Great Britain
Australia 19-19 Kenya 7s
USA 43-7 Japan
Samoa 33-5 Canada
Argentina 49-0 Uruguay
Fiji 7-24 New Zealand
Ireland 33-15 Uganda
France Spain
South Africa 27-12 Kenya 7s
Australia vs Great Britain -14:42
Samoa vs USA- 17:06
Canada vs Japan – 17:28
Spain vs Uganda -18:07
New Zealand vs Uruguay- 18:34
France vs Ireland -18:35
Fiji vs Argentina – 19:05
Great Britain vs Kenya 7s- 19:18
Australia vs South Africa – 19:33
Saturday 3 December
9TH PLACE QUARTER FINAL
3rd Pool B vs 4th Pool C -08:00
3rd Pool D vs 4th Pool A- 08:22
3rd Pool C vs 4th Pool B- 08:44
3rd Pool A vs 4th Pool D- 09:06
CUP QUARTER FINALS
1st Pool B vs 2nd Pool C- 09:28
1st Pool D vs 2nd Pool A- 09:50
1st Pool C vs 2nd Pool B- 10:12
1st Pool A vs 2nd Pool D- 10:34
13TH PLACE SEMI FINAL
Loser M25 vs Loser M26- 11:32
Loser M27 vs Loser M28- 11:54
