/ 30 May 2000

KIWIS WHIP SEVENS BOKS 69-10

SOUTH Africa were outpointed 69-10 by New Zealand in the inaugural World Sevens Series Cup Final in Paris on Sunday. The teams went into the break with the Kiwis leading 45-0 and although the Springboks scored two tries in the second-half it was a matter of trying to retain their self respect. “I’m just pleased we made the final,” said South African captain Andries Fourie. “We’ve had a great tournament and it’s our first final but New Zealand are a formidable outfit,” he added. Karl Te’Nana, player of the series here two years ago and in the Hong Kong Sevens, started the slaughter off as he rampaged through to open the score with a stunning run into the left corner. Their prolific scorer Justin Wilson broke two tackles to go over and then Craig Goldie managed to ground the ball despite lying on his back over the tryline. With five minutes gone the Kiwis added another as Brad Fleming burst in from the right wing took the ball at full pelt and scored. Amasio Valence got in on the act as he took a freekick himself tapped it and ran through to touchdown – the South Africans grouped around each other but in vain as Valence scythed through the defence again to score his second of the match. Te’Nana then went on another strong run and scored his second. The South Africans outscored the New Zealanders by two tries to one in the early part of the second-half until the try of the match when Rodney So’oialo ran 40 metres, stopped as two defenders caught up with him, and then went inside them to touch down – he added a second a minute later. New Zealand’s player of the series Orene Ai’i scored the final try to set the seal the match for New Zealand.