/ 1 December 2005

SA into quarterfinals of Dubai Sevens

South Africa powered their way into the quarterfinals of the Emirates Airline Dubai Sevens with an inspiring 19-7 win over Argentina in their final pool game.

After negotiating the early pool matches against tricky opponents Portugal and Scotland, the Boks shifted up a gear as the desert evening set in.

Danwell Demas opened the scoring midway through the first half as the Boks pressured the Pumas into kicking behind their own goal line.

Stefan Basson, who is a big candidate for player of the tournament, collected the kick, sent it wide to Jaco Pretorius who was caught a metre from the line and popped it up for Demas to score.

Demas was on hand again later at the end of the first half as he finished off a movement which stretched Argentina wide.

Basson caused all sorts of havoc with his pace on the outside, and he scored the telling try to seal the match with a kick and chase, and won the race easily.

Argentina grabbed a late try by Horacio San Martin, but it wasn’t enough to change their fate.

The Boks will face Australia in the quarterfinals on Friday, and face a tough road if they win against the victor of New Zealand and Fiji in the semifinals. – Sapa