Australia claimed their first points of the 2025 Hong Kong Sevens with a convincing win against the Blitzboks on Friday.
South Africa failed to capitalise on an early Jimmy Turner yellow card, with Australia holding firm and controlling possession despite being down to six men.
After Turner’s return, Australia opened the scoring with a fantastic switch play out wide, releasing Matt Gonzalez into the South African 22m and over the line.
Paterson with the smoothest offload to Matt Gonzalez 😮💨
What a duo! 🤝#HSBCSVNS | #HSBCSVNSHKG pic.twitter.com/jDpvoMVo88
— HSBC SVNS (@SVNSSeries) March 28, 2025
Australia were the only team in the fight, with Henry Paterson scoring Australia’s second after a poor defensive effort from the Blitzboks left an overlap. Australia took a 14-0 lead into the break.
In the second half momentum remained with the Aussies. Paterson scored his second of the match after breaking the Blitzboks defensive line, before Josh Turner collected off the restart and dotted down in the corner.
Selvyn Davids got the Blitzboks on the board after a late breakaway but it was only a consolation, with Australia securing a 26-7 win.
Next up, Australia take on Uruguay, while the Blitzboks will look to rebound when they face New Zealand on Saturday morning at 7.43am.
Photo: Paul Kane/Getty Images
