Kenya 7s ended the group stage of the Hong Kong 7s without a single win after losing 26-17 to South Africa in a thriller played on Saturday.
In this match, the Blitzboks and Shujaa had contrasting fortunes heading in. South Africa needed a win to secure a spot in the Cup quarters, while Shujaa was hoping for their first victory in the competition after losing their first two matches.
Kenya 7s concede off kicks
South Africa got off to a quick start, with Shaun Williams scoring the opening try of the match after three minutes of play. He pounced on a grabber kick that troubled Alvin Otieno and converted the try for a 7-0 lead.
Shortly after the restart, South Africa’s skipper, Siviwe Soyizwapi, showcased some brilliant fielding skills to score the team’s second try.
Christie Grobbelaar sold a dummy and sprinted clear to score the team’s third try, giving them a comfortable 19-0 lead at halftime.
Kenya fought back in the second half, with Tony Omondi’s lovely miss pass finding an unmarked Nelson Oyoo, who scored a try to get them back in the game.
However, Kenya lost possession following a misplaced pass, and Donovan Don kicked the loose ball and scored South Africa’s fourth try.
Kenya 7s consolation
Shujaa managed to pull back a bit with Jeff Oluoch accelerating for a try that brought their score up to 10 points.
In the end, Kenya had the last say with Billy Odhiambo scoring their final try, taking his tally to 111 tries for the country. Shujaa now focus on the ninth place playoffs.
Hong Kong 7s
Matches
Friday 31 March
New Zealand 29-5 Kenya 7s
Ireland 7-14 South Africa
Fiji 12-7 Samoa
Argentina 17-7 Canada
USA 0-7 Spain
Australia 26-5 Japan
Great Britain 14-12 Uruguay
France 21-14 Hong Kong
Matches
Saturday 01 April
New Zealand 12-7 South Africa
Ireland 26-14 Kenya 7s
Fiji 40-7 Canada
Argentina 26-19 Samoa
USA 31-0 Japan
Australia 12-7 Spain
Great Britain 33-12 Hong Kong
France 17-14 Uruguay
Kenya 7s 17-26 South Africa
Ireland vs New Zealand : 10:49
Samoa vs Canada: 11:13
Argentina vs Fiji : 11:37
Spain vs Japan : 12:01
Australia vs USA: 12:25
Uruguay vs Hong Kong: 12:49
France vs Great Britain : 13:13
Sunday 02 April
9TH PLACE QUARTER FINAL
3rd Pool D vs 4th Pool A : 03:30
3rd Pool B vs 4th Pool C : 03:53
3rd Pool A vs 4th Pool D : 04:16
3rd Pool C vs 4th Pool B : 04:39
CUP QUARTER FINALS
1st Pool D vs 2nd Pool A : 05:02
1st Pool B vs 2nd Pool C : 05:25
1st Pool A vs 2nd Pool D: 05:48
1st Pool C vs 2nd Pool B : 06:11
13TH PLACE SEMI FINAL
Loser M25 vs Loser M26- KO: 06:39
Loser M27 vs Loser M28 : 07:02
9TH PLACE SEMI FINAL
Winner M26 vs Winner M25 : 07:25
Winner M27 vs Winner M28 : 07:48
5TH PLACE SEMI FINAL
Loser M29 vs Loser M30 : 08:57
Loser M31 vs Loser M32 : 09:20
CUP SEMI FINALS
Winner M30 vs Winner M29 : 10:29
Winner M31 vs Winner M32 : 10:52
13TH PLACE PLAY-OFF
Winner M33 vs Winner M34: 11:15
9TH PLACE PLAY-OFF
Winner M36 vs Winner M35: 12:05
5TH PLACE PLAY-OFF
Winner M37 vs Winner M38 : 12:55
BRONZE FINAL
Loser M40 vs Loser M39 : 14:10
CUP FINAL
Winner M40 vs Winner M39 : 15:15
