Pumas past Boks into Fiji sevens semi-final

Wednesday, 28 July 2021 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Argentina's players celebrate winning the men's quarter-final Rugby Sevens match between South Africa and Argentina during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Tokyo stadium in Tokyo

TOKYO (AFP): Speedster Marco Moneta fired five-man Argentina to a nail-biting 19-14 victory over South Africa Tuesday to set up a rugby sevens semi-final against defending Olympic champions Fiji.

Powerhouses New Zealand, long the dominant force in the abbreviated game, will take on Britain in the second last-four clash on Wednesday.

Selvyn Davids opened the scoring for Rio bronze medallists South Africa at the Tokyo Stadium, but on the next play was taken out high by Gaston Revol.

The veteran Argentine was left sobbing on the touchlines after he was rightly shown a red card.

Moneta, however, scored two magnificent solo tries against the run of play to put Los Pumas 14-7 up at half-time. Britain, who claimed silver in Rio after losing 43-7 to Fiji in the final, had to dig deep for a 26-21 victory over the United States, for whom Danny Barrett and Perry Baker (2) scored quickfire tries.

The Kiwis took almost five minutes to crack a resolute Canadian defence in their quarter-final, Andrew Knewstubb jinking over to ease the pressure.

Scott Curry doubled the score before Knewstubb got his second against a tiring Canada team, for whom Pat Kay and Harry Jones had two late consolation tries in the 21-10 defeat.

Hosts Japan were left to battle it out with South Korea for 11-12th place after losing 21-7 to Kenya, who will take on Ireland, 31-0 victors over the Koreans, for 9-10th place.