Kenya upset series leaders South Africa as New Zealand, Fiji and Australia went unbeaten into the playoff rounds of the IRB Adelaide Sevens yesterday.
The sixth-ranked Kenyans caused the surprise of the tournament with a fighting 15-14 win over favorites South Africa to top Pool D and line up a Cup quarter-final against World Cup Sevens champions Wales today.
The Springboks, who ended New Zealand’s 47-match unbeaten run to clinch the Adelaide title last year, finished second in the group and have an intriguing match-up with New Zealand in their quarter-final.
PHOTO: AFP
Kenya led 10-7 at halftime after Sidney Ashioya and Gibson Weru responded to Frankie Horne’s early try.
South Africa were down to five men at one point, but cleverly retained possession and Ryno Benjamin put them back ahead, only for Victor Oduor to clinch victory for Kenya with a fine try late on.
New Zealand recorded two big wins over Tonga (33-0) and US (27-5) to finish top of Pool C ahead of Wales, who downed the US 24-17, but relinquished a 19-0 halftime lead to go down to Tonga 26-19.
Hong Kong Sevens champions Fiji accounted for France (21-10) and Argentina (26-21) to top Pool B and and set up a Cup quarter-final against England.
Argentina finished ahead of France in the group after beating Scotland 12-7 and the South Americans will take on Australia in the quarter-finals.
The Australians followed up their last gasp win over England on Friday’s opening day to register their first victory against Samoa for four years, fighting back after trailing 12-0 to win 26-19.
The tournament hosts finished unbeaten in Pool A with a 31-5 win over Portugal.
England needed a 24-24 draw against Samoa to go through on points difference in Pool A.
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