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Johannesburg - South Africa have made a serious statement at the Sydney Sevens by smashing England 33-12 to top Pool C and book their place in the Cup quarter-finals.
The Blitzboks got off to the worst possible start when Cecil Afrika was caught napping trying to gather a kick ahead.
Oliver Lindsay-Hague pinched the ball off the South African veteran to score next to the posts and England were 7-0 ahead.
South Africa, though, responded well and scored tries through Seabelo Senatla, Afrika and Justin Geduld to ensure that they took a 21-7 lead into half time.
Geduld then grabbed his second soon after the restart, and when he converted his fourth kick in a row, the Blitzboks had a 28-7 lead.
Daniel Bibby scored next for England to get them right back in it, but it was too little too late.
Senatla made sure the statement when was complete when he grabbed his second on the stroke of full time.
Earlier on Saturday, the Blitzboks had beaten Spain 38-0 over Spain while, on Friday, they had overpowered Papua New Guinea 50-0.
They will play Kenya in their quarter-final at 02:50 (SA time) on Sunday.
Scorers:
SA 33 (21)
Tries: Seabelo Senatla (2), Cecil Afrika, Justin Geduld (2)
Conversions: Geduld (4)
England 12 (7)
Tries: Oliver Lindsay-Hague, Daniel Bibbu
Conversions: Daniel Bibby
