Brave Kenya Sevens fall to South Africa

What you need to know:

  • Kenya Sevens will now meet England in their second match at 12:26pm, before facing Spain at 6.32pm in their last Pool matches on Friday.
  • They must win all the matches if they hope to make to the main Cup quarters.

It was a tense exchange of leads as Kenya Sevens lost to South Africa 17-12 in their opening Pool “D” duel at Dubai Sevens at Sevens Stadium on Thursday.

A charging skipper Andrew Amonde lost the ball in the ruck after a tackle before South Africa cashed on it for a splendid build up that saw Ryan Oosthuizen make the try. They failed to convert but led 5-0.

Individual brilliance from the burly Alvin Otieno saw him crush through tackles with smashing hand-off on the left to score behind the posts. Daniel Taabu added the extras as the exciting Shujaa took a 7-5 lead.

Then a lovely chip from Taabu mid-deep to the left saw Vincent Onyala pace to pick the ball on the line before landing a pulsating try, but Taabu failed with the kick as Kenya took a 12-5 lead at the break.

The second half proved a thriller but it’s South Africa who took advantage of Kenya’s mistakes with Rosko Specman and Seabelo Senatla landing to give Blitzeboke the hard-earned victory.

England had earlier on beaten Spain 36-7 in the other Pool “D” outing.

Kenya Sevens will now meet England in their second match at 12:26pm, before facing Spain at 6.32pm in their last Pool matches on Friday.

They must win all the matches if they hope to make the main Cup quarters.