The Blitzboks beat Argentina in their New York Sevens semi-final to set up a regular-season series decider against Fiji.
South Africa won 14-5 after leading 14-0 at half-time. Earlier, Fiji beat Australia 28-7 in the first semi-final. The final is at 10:41pm SA time.
Argentina started the semi-final strongly, holding onto possession through multiple phases. However, a dropped ball in midfield saw the Blitzboks spring a lightning quick counter from which Sebastiaan Jobb scythed through to score under the posts. Tristan Leyds added the conversion.
Both teams made handling errors in a tight, tension-filled contest.
With a less than a minute to half-time, Selvyn Davids raced from inside his own 22 down the left touchline to dot down under the posts for a crucial score. The Leyds conversion gave the Blitzboks much needed breathing space.
Argentina were quickly out of the blocks at the start of the second half and Marcos Moneta crossed over in the right corner. Crucially, the conversion was missed.
But Argentina came hard and the Blitzboks had to dig deep to keep the South Americans at bay.
Jobb then scored a brilliant individual effort with a weaving run but the try was disallowed for an earlier knock-on.
Argentina continued to attack as the Blitzboks’ defence held out, before replacement Grant de Jager won a crucial turnover penalty in the shadow of his posts to seal the win and set up the regular-season finale against Fiji.
Fiji and the Blitzboks went into the last regular-season tournament locked on 86 log points, with Fiji ahead by a +6 points difference.
Photo: David van der Sandt/Gallo Images
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