The Blitzboks blew arch-rivals Fiji away 19-0 with a commanding defensive and attacking display to book their place in the semifinal of the HSBC SVNS Perth at HBF Park on Saturday. They will face Australia in Sunday’s semifinal.
The Fijians recovered from a shock earlier 24-17 loss to Uruguay with a win against New Zealand but were no match for the intensity of the Blitzboks.
Cape Town champions South Africa took the early lead with a Sheldon van Wyk try after slick build-up play.
Selvyn Davids then chipped ahead on the left touchline after the ball spilled free from a ruck in the opposite end of the Fijian 22.
He did well to gather his own kick under pressure to put the Blitzboks 12-0 ahead.
The Fijians were struggling to get a grip on the game in the face of a swarming South African defence that was well organised.
Zain Davids was once again immense in attack and on defence.
Selvyn Davids also pulled off a try-saving tackle on Iowane Teba, with a Fiji player getting yellow for kicking the ball away.
South Africa went into half-time 12-0 up.
There was an early second-half yellow for Ronald Brown for a high tackle as Fiji pressed.
But it was the Blitzboks who landed the next blow, which proved decisive.
Selvyn Davids chased down a Britz hack upfield from near the SA tryline to force a penalty in the Fijian 22.
A quick tap taken by SA was held up close to the tryline, illegally so.
Fiji were awarded another yellow and SA the penalty try for the professional foul (19-0).
Hapless Fiji were pegged back with more ferocious tackling from the Blitzboks and didn’t look like scoring.
Impi Visser won a turnover on the ground with more great defensive work from SA.
The Blitzboks were in control and the Fijians looked a beaten foe.
The hooter sounded with another Visser steal ensuring Fiji would not get on scoreboard.
It was an emphatic victory for South Africa, who will face the hosts, who beat France 24-12 in their quarter-final. Spain and Argentina will meet in the other semifinal.