Sebastiaan Jobb scored twice as the Blitzboks opened their New York Sevens campaign with a dominant win over New Zealand.
South Africa scored two tries in each half to triumph 22-7 in the Pool A clash.
A powerful scrum created the platform for the opening score as Selvyn Davids rounded the defence to finish in the corner.
New Zealand responded with a sustained spell of possession, but the Blitzboks’ defence held firm. Ryan Oosthuizen then forced a turnover penalty to swing momentum back in South Africa’s favour.
With the clock winding down in the first half, the Blitzboks struck again. Running from deep, a switch pass found Jobb out wide and the winger powered through two defenders to score under the posts, sending his side into the break 12-0 ahead.
The Blitzboks maintained control after the restart, with captain Impi Visser leading several strong carries. A knock-on in midfield briefly gave New Zealand an attacking platform, but the Blitzboks pack produced another dominant scrum to win the ball back.
Discipline soon became a problem for New Zealand. Rob Rush was shown a yellow card for a deliberate knockdown, and a second deliberate knock-on from Akuila Rokolisoa reduced them to five players.
The Blitzboks capitalised on the advantage. Jobb struck again, breaking through the defence to claim his second try and extend the lead to 17-0.
South Africa continued to attack from the restart and Grant de Jager finished in the corner after the ball was worked wide to make it 22-0. A third yellow card was shown to Riley Williams with game already dead and buried.
New Zealand earned a late consolation when Brady Rush crossed after a multi-phase attack.
The Blitzboks take on France (8:02pm SA time) and Australia (10:58pm SA time) in their remaining pool matches.
Photo: David van der Sandt/Gallo Images
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