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South Africa and Fiji will contest the gold medal match at the Rugby Sevens event of the Commonwealth Games 2022

Blitzboks book place in Commonwealth Rugby Sevens Final

South Africa and Fiji will contest the gold medal match at the Rugby Sevens event of the Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham after the Springbok Sevens team defeated Australia 24-12 at Coventry Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Angelo Davids scored his third hat-trick of the Games as the South Africans recovered from an early 5-0 deficit to gain a comfortable victory.

The two teams went into the lead locked even at 12-12 after an entertaining first half but South Africa pulled away in the second half to book their spot in the grand finale.

Australia drew first blood when Mark Nawaqanitawase powered through to put the Aussies 5-0 ahead.

Angelo Davids then continued his prolific try-scoring form at the Games when he scored his eighth try following a clever grubber from playmaker Selvyn Davids, with Ronald Brown’s conversion putting SA 7-5 ahead.

But the Aussies hit back immediately with a clever attack which saw Matthew Gonzalez go in under the posts to regain the lead at 12-7. However, there was just enough time before halftime for Davids to score his second of the half, from a lineout set-play, to draw the teams level at the break (12-12).

After the restart Selvyn Davids charged down a kick and collected the loose ball to score in the corner, with a brilliant conversion edging SA ahead by 19-12.

Angelo Davids was then denied another try when he was caught short of the line with a desperate tackle. But in the next movement, he bagged his hat-trick when the flyer scored out wide from a well-worked move. SA was now in control at 24-12 and all they needed to do was to manage out time until the final whistle.

They will now face the formidable Fijians in the final in an attempt to win their second gold medal after their success of 2014. Fji beat New Zealand 19-14 with a golden try in extra-time in the first semi-final, which served up a sevens classic between the two South Pacific rivals.

The final is scheduled for 22h04 and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.

Scorers:

South Africa 24 (12) -  Tries: Angelo Davids (3), Selvyn Davids. Conversions: Ronald Brown, Selvyn Davids. 

Australia 12 (12) – Tries: Mark Nawaqanitawase, Matthew Gonzales. Conversion: Dietrich Roache.

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