The World Seven Series is alive. The Blitzboks have advanced to the final of the Paris Sevens after beating old foe New Zealand 24-12 in the semi-finals and at 6:45pm tonight, SA time, they play England with both the Paris and World Series titles at stake for the South Africans.
The Blitzboks have to win gold to retain their World Series title should Fiji win their play-off for fifth place. If Fiji lose, the Boks can afford to lose in the final and still win the overall title.
This is after a day of drama that started with Fiji losing to England in the first quarter-final, thus opening the door for South Africa to overhaul Fiji at the top of the standings where they are seven points clear of the South Africans.
The Blitzboks had been poor in their quarter-final win over Spain but they shot out of the blocks against the Kiwis and after one minute of domination, Werner Kok crashed over. The Boks seemed energised after appearing jaded for most of the tournament.
The try was not converted, and there was no further score in a first half where the South Africans did most of the playing but just could not get over the line. The whistle sounded with both teams out on their feet.
After the break the Blitzboks again started strongly and once more they had a score within a minute. This time it was Dewald Human that weaved through the defence after a clinical build-up. The conversion made it 12-0. And it was pretty much game over three minutes from time when Ruhan Nel was introduced off the bench and promptly smashed over off the back of a scrum.
Jona Nareki gave New Zealand hope when he ran most of the field for a try, only for Human to score his second try, a brilliant effort that saw him coast through a number of would be tacklers.
There was a consolation try from Joe Ravouvou, but the South Africans were home clear at 24-12.