Nel seals win for Blitzboks, into HK Sevens final

Cape Town - The Blitzboks are into the final of the prestigious Hong Kong Sevens after beating the United States 29-24 in a pulsating semi-final encounter that needed extra-time to separate the two sides. 

Although the United States opened the scoring in the first minute through captain, Madison Hughes, the Blitzboks answered emphatically with three tries before half-time to lead 19-7 at the break.

South Africa's tries came through Siviwe Soyizwapi, Dylan Sage and captain, Phillip Snyman with Branco du Preez adding two conversions.

Soyizwapi scored his second just after the break but the United States roared back into the match with two quick tries from Martin Iosefo and speedster, Perry Baker.

Hughes converted Baker's effort to take the score to 24-19 in favor of the Blitzboks.

Another Baker score drew the teams level at 24-all but Hughes missed the conversion, sending the match into extra-time. 

It was the Blitzboks who emerged victorious with Ruhan Nel getting the all important sudden-death score to put the Blitzboks into the final where they will face Fiji at 13:00 (SA time).