Boks need pool win to avoid Kiwis
Sat, 19 Apr 2008 09:21
South Africa will have to win their pool to avoid a quarterfinal confrontation with New Zealand in the England leg of the International Rugby Board (IRB) Sevens World Series at Twickenham on May 24 and 25.
In essence that means that South Africa, who halted the All Blacks' unbeaten run of seven tournaments and 47 matches in Adelaide three weeks ago, will have to beat France and England.
They are the two sides most likely to surprise the Springboks in Pool B. The fourth side in Pool B is Spain, who get a rare opportunity in the IRB series because of their third place in the European
championship, won by Russia with France as runners-up.
Although England lost all five of their matches in Adelaide - to France, Kenya, Fiji, the USA and Wales - they are not to be taken lightly.
Should South Africa win their pool, they're likely to play Argentina or Wales in the quarterfinal, with New Zealand out-and-out favourites to head Pool A and face the runners-up of Pool B.
Fiji should not have too much trouble in disposing of Canada, Australia and Portugal in Pool C. They won all three of their pool matches in Adelaide against Kenya, France and England before
trouncing Australia 28-7 in the Cup quarterfinals. However, they then lost narrowly to New Zealand, 17-14, in the Cup semifinals.
Inconsistent Samoa have to win Pool D against Russia, Scotland and Kenya to avoid a probable play-off against the winners of Pool C, which should be Fiji.
The Springboks will start their preparations for the Twickenham tournament in Stellenbosch on Monday.
Meanwhile, Springbok Fabian Juries leads the 2007/08 IRB Sevens Series try race with 35 tries after six tournaments, followed by Samoa's Mikaele Pesamino (31) and Alafoti Fa'osiliva (Samoa), young All Black sensation Victor Vito and his team mate Steven Yatesm who have all scored 27 tries.
Juries is also second on the points scoring list for the series with 175 points behind All Black Tomasi Cama (211). South Africa's Renfred Dazel has scored the third most points (163).
SAPA
