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The Springbok Sevens team finished undefeated in pool play at the Cell C Nelson Mandela Bay Sevens, on an emotional first day of rugby in the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.
The hosts beat Canada, Spain and Kenya in their pool B clashes to set up a Cup quarterfinals encounter with Portugal on Sunday.
A tribute to the late Nelson Mandela by all sixteen participating teams and match officials all wearing black armbands highlighted the spirit and camaraderie of the rugby world and the HSBC Sevens World Series.
A moment of silence, followed by the singing of the South African national anthem and a brief video tribute of the late former president of South Africa was widely applauded by the crowd and players as they paid respects to one of rugby’s biggest friends.
The Blitsbokke secured a 24-7 win over Canada in their opening game.
The pace of South Africa were too win much for Spain in their second pool B match and the home side recorded a convincing 38-0 win.
With Kenya also beating Canada and Spain, their clash with the Springbok Sevens team turned out to be the pool decider. The South Africans scored early, to complete a 27 - 7 win over their African rivals.
South Africa will face Portugal in the cup quarter final at 13:45 on Sunday..
