Good start for SA Rugby Sevens Academy side in Roma Sevens
The SA Rugby Sevens Academy side started the Roma Sevens tournament in convincing fashion on Friday, winning all three matches in pool A of the tournament, played in Rome’s Acqua Acetosa Stadium.
The South Africans beat Lithuania 47-0, Seven Sirs 41-0 and Georgia 28-5 to book a place in the quarterfinals of the invitational event in Italy. They will play either France or Clandestinos Argentini, who will play later tonight.
Academy coach, Marius Schoeman, was pleased with the performance from the squad, with the successful return from injury from Werner Kok, Branco du Preez and Frankie Horne of particular importance. The team scored 116 points and only conceded five.
“It was a great day, we accomplished what we came here for one day one,” Schoeman said.
“The real tournament starts tomorrow though, when the knock-out competition starts. I am pleased that the likes of Branco, Werner and Frankie showed that they recovered from their injuries and played well today.”
Kok was one of the seven try-scorers in the opening win over Lithuania. Du Preez also kicked very well, slotting a number of tough conversions, but the real star of the day was Spamandla Ngcobo.
The winger scored a hat-trick against Seven Sirs and two more against Georgia.
In the Women’s tournament, the SA Women’s Select did not disappoint either.
They opened with a good win over Spinose 7s, winning 46-0. Nadine Roos bagged three tries in the win. They play Italy later tonight. They play Kenya on Saturday before the knock-out stage commences.
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