Blitzboks into semi-finals in Cape Town after cruising through two pool matches

The Blitzboks scored six tries as they beat Ireland by 36-7 in their pool opener and followed that up with a very good 29-5 victory over Argentina in front of 33 481 fans with Ricardo Duarttee bagging two tries.

Duarttee scored in the first minute from an attacking scrum and followed that up with his second when the Pumas were down to six when one of their players was yellow carded for a dangerous tackle on Dewald Human.

Human scored the third on the stroke of half-time and converted to hand South Africa a 17-0 lead at the break, with their defensive pressure forcing mistakes from the Argentineans.

Matias Osadczuk pulled one back for the visitors with three minutes left on the clock before what would have been Duarttee's third try was disallowed by the TMO, but Shilton van Wyk and Shaun Williams added two cherries on top with two tries towards the end of the game.

Against Ireland, Quewin Nortje and Impi Visser scored two tries apiece, after David Brits had opened the scoring from a strong run by Donavan Don, while Mfundo Ndhlovu dotted down towards the end of the match.

It was a clinical performance by the Blitzboks, as they had Ireland under pressure for most of the clash. Although they made the odd error or two, the only real blip by the South Africans was a ninth-minute try by Josh Costello.

The Blitzboks will now face Spain in the last-four clash that will be played at 13h56 (SA time).

Earlier on Saturday, USA, Ireland, Japan and Canada were victorious in the first round of women's matches, while the first big upset of the day came in the second match of the men's competition, when Kenya beat Australia by 19-12.

The French men's team recorded a big win over USA, while Great Britain had too much firepower for Uruguay and Argentina beat Ireland.

In the women's competition, Australia, New Zealand, France and the USA won both their matches to progress to Sunday's Cup semi-finals.

France won both their games, including a 47-15 drubbing of New Zealand, to qualify for the Cup semi-finals along with Spain, Fiji and South Africa.

Scorers:

Blitzboks 36 (24) Ireland 7 (0)

Blitzboks - Tries: David Brits, Quewin Nortje (2), Impi Visser (2), Mfundo Ndhlovu. Conversions: Ricardo Duarttee (2), Shaun Williams.Ireland - Try: Josh Costello. Conversion: Tadhg Brophy.

Blitzboks 29 (17) Argentina 5 (0)

Blitzboks - Tries: Ricardo Duarttee (2), Dewald Human, Shilton van Wyk, Shaun Williams. Conversions: Human, Williams.Argentina - Try: Matías Osadczuk.

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