South Africa Cecil Afrika take on Kenya Morans Johnstone Olindi at Safari Sevens. Photo/RAYMOND MAKHAYA
NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 19 – South Africa became the first team to progress to the Cup Quarters of the Safari 7s after coming from 12-0 down to beat the Kenya Morans 17-12 and register their second successive victory of the tournament.
The Morans, Kenya’s second tier team had a late chance to draw back level in the final minute but Geoffrey Okwatch’s error saw the South Africans turn back possession and kicked out for the win.
Okwatch and Vincent Onyala’s tried had given the Morans a comfortable 12-0 lead but they could not hold on to the lead.
Morans’ Herman Humwa breaks from South Africa captain Siviwe Soyizwapi. Photo/RAYMOND MAKHAYA
Skipper Siviwe Soyizwapi crossed the chalk twice with Steadman Gans adding another while Cecil Afrika converted one of the three.
Onyala broke the deadlock dotting down under the posts after some good footwork earned him space leaving his marker for dead from halfway through the pitch.
Johnstone Olindi added the twos Kenya going 7-0 up.
Okwatch then took Kenya 12-0 up from the right side before Gans drew one back for the Boks, reducing the deficit to 12-5 at half time.
After the break the South Africans took command from the start with skipper Soyizwapi dotting down on the left using his pace and power to push away his chasers.
The Morans will now have to beat winless Burundi in their final game to sail through to the Cup quarters while South Africa will progress top of the group with a win over Uganda.
