Kenya 7s lost 31-5 to South Africa in the Sydney 7s Pool B opener played at the Allianz Stadium in Sydney on Friday.
Despite early attack, Kenya struggled to overcome South Africa, who had won the last nine meetings between the teams. South Africa quickly took control of the match, scoring four tries in the first half and one more in the second half.
Kenya 7s early attack thwarted
Kenya 7s started the match with an early attack, but it was quickly cut short when Willy Ambaka was bundled out of play. South Africa won the ball off the line-out and Shilton van Wyk was able to run through open space for the first try of the match. Ricardo Duarttee converted the try, giving South Africa a 7-0 lead.
After his first try, Shilton van Wyk was able to spot open space again in the sixth minute, and scored another try for South Africa. Duarttee’s conversion increased the lead to 14-0.
Shaun Williams also found space in Kenya’s defense and scored a converted try, securing a 21-0 lead for South Africa at halftime.
In the second half, James Murphy scored the fourth try for SA to lead 26-0.
Despite the early deficit, Kenya continued to fight for a try. Brian Tanga, who came off the bench, launched an attack that was completed with a long pass to Kevin Wekesa, who scored the lone try for Kenya.
Kenya was later dealt a blow when Edmund Anya received a yellow card for tackling Siviwe Soyizwapi, who did not have the ball.
The subsequent scrum saw the ball passed to Soyizwapi, who scored another try for South Africa to seal their victory. Kenya will play again on Saturday where they face New Zealand and Uruguay.
Sydney 7s results and fixtures
Ireland 12-17 Samoa
USA 33-14 Spain
South Africa 31-5 Kenya 7s
New Zealand vs Uruguay : 07:28
Fiji vs Tonga : 07:50
France vs Japan : 08:12
Australia vs Great Britain: 08:34
Argentina vs Canada : 08:56
Saturday 28 January
Ireland vs Spain : 01:00
USA vs Samoa : 01:22
South Africa vs Uruguay : 01:44
New Zealand 7s vs Kenya 7s: 02:06
Fiji vs Japan 7s : 02:28
France vs Tonga 7s: 02:50
Australia vs Canada: 03:12
Argentina vs Great Britain: 03:34
Samoa vs Spain : 06:43
USA vs Ireland : 07:05
Kenya 7s vs Uruguay : 07:27
New Zealand vs South Africa : 07:49
Tonga vs Japan : 08:11
France vs Fiji : 08:33
Great Britain vs Canada : 08:55
Argentina vs Australia : 09:17
CUP QUARTER FINALS
1st Pool C vs 2nd Pool B : 11:37
1st Pool B vs 2nd Pool C : 12:05
1st Pool D vs 2nd Pool A : 12:35
1st Pool A vs 2nd Pool D : 13:03
Sunday 29 January
9TH PLACE QUARTER FINAL
3rd Pool C vs 4th Pool B : 01:54
3rd Pool B vs 4th Pool C : 02:16
3rd Pool D vs 4th Pool A : 02:38
3rd Pool A vs 4th Pool D : 03:00
13TH PLACE SEMI FINAL
Loser M29 vs Loser M32 : 05:00
9TH PLACE SEMI FINAL
Winner M29 sv Winner M32 : 05:22
Winner M30 vs Winner M31 : 05:44
5TH PLACE SEMI FINAL
Loser M25 vs Loser M28: 06:06
Loser M26 vs Loser M27 : 06:28
13TH PLACE SEMI FINAL
Loser M30 vs Loser M31 : 06:50
CUP SEMI FINALS
Winner M25 vs Winner M28: 08:06
Winner M26 vs Winner M27: 08:28
13TH PLACE PLAY-OFF
Winner M33 vs Winner M38 : 09:44
9TH PLACE PLAY-OFF
Winner M34 vs Winner M35: 10:06
5TH PLACE PLAY-OFF
Winner M36 sv Winner M37 : 10:28
BRONZE FINAL
Loser M39 vs Loser M40: 11:29
CUP FINAL
Winner M39 vs Winner M40 : 12:26
