Blitzboks stage stunning comeback to sink Spain and reach SVNS semi-finals

As a result, the Blitzboks will face Argentina in the semi-finals on Sunday at Estadio Jose Zorrilla as they go in search of a sixth consecutive tournament title.

It was a desperate second-half effort against the hosts to rescue their campaign, after the Blitzboks had earlier lost their Pool A decider to Australia.

Spain held a 12-0 lead going into the break and looked set to secure the biggest win of the weekend, but the Blitzboks are not currently rated the best team in the sevens world for nothing.

Impi Visser struck first before Jayden Nell scored his first try for South Africa with 90 seconds left on the clock, with Ricardo Duarttee's conversion giving the Blitzboks a two-point lead. They then managed to play out the last minute for a remarkable win.

Spain had all the possession, control and skill in the opening half. They scored early after a great opening spell, keeping the ball alive and with good support play opened a gap in the Blitzboks defence to take a 7-0 lead.

The Blitzboks did not touch the ball in the opening three minutes of the match and were swamped in all areas by Spain, who scored a second try for a 12-0 lead.

A yellow card to Spain for a high tackle on Tristan Leyds broke the opening spell the hosts had over the SA side, but that was short-lived as an error by Selvyn Davids handed momentum back to the hosts, who held on into the halftime break.

The South Africans were much improved in the second half. Visser scored with four minutes left after Leyds broke away in a counter-attack to cut the lead to five points.

Spain then intercepted a Selvyn Davids pass, but a desperate cover tackle by Sebastiaan Jobb knocked the ball out of the Spanish player's hands under the uprights to save a certain try. At that stage, Spain made 47 passes and the Blitzboks only 15.

Spain conceded another yellow card and this time the Blitzboks delivered a fatal blow. Davids redeemed himself with a blindside break from a scrum and numerous passes and a kick to Nell resulted in the try, which was converted by Duarttee for the lead.

Earlier on Saturday, Australia edged the Blitzboks 22-14 after a late surge saw them overturn a narrow lead in a scrappy finish.

But the Blitzboks ultimately bounced back superbly from that disappointment to show their class against Spain and keep their title hopes alive.

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