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Boks qualify for quarters
29/03/2008 13:58 - (SA)
Johannesburg - South Africa won a crucial pool match after they edged Argentina 19-14 with the very last move of the day to qualify for Sunday's quarter-final stages of the IRB World Sevens series in Hong Kong on Saturday.
The win saw the third-seeded Springboks top Pool C and automatically qualify with the six pool winners and two best runners-up qualifying for the quarters.
The Boks made a number of uncharacteristic unforced errors that would have left their coach Paul Treu exasperated, but were nevertheless the better side in an unconvincing win over a negative Argentina.
A knock by South Africa's star player Fabian Juries from the very first ball he received saw Argentina go into a first-minute 7-0 lead.
From the next opportunity captain Neil Powell knocked on which put the Boks under immediate pressure again. And the third time they got possession saw Renfred Dazel knock on.
Boks approach 'made way for calmer'
But then the Boks settled somewhat, and Mzwandile Stick pulled back five points just before halftime after the South Africans were unfortunate not to be awarded a penalty try.
The Boks had looked anything but convincing and fluent going into the break 7-5 down, although there were signs that they were gaining the upper hand against a side that flaunted all off-side and ruck laws to keep quick ball from the South Africans.
Just after the break, the somewhat hurried approach of the Springboks made way for a calmer, more controlled backline move and a good inside pass by Stick saw MJ Mentz outsprint the defence for an immediate score and a 12-7 lead.
A Bok try was squandered on the slippy surface and Argentina ran the full length for a goal to lead 14-12 with two minutes to go.
But then, after a second yellow card to Argentina for their continued disregard of ruck laws, Dazel sneaked through with the very last move of the day for a deserved but unconvincing 19-14 win.
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Rugby
