Blitzboks overcome Japan for first win in London

The Springbok Sevens team shrugged off the disappointment of not making the quarter-finals with a 29-7 win over Japan in the ninth-place semi-final of the HSBC London Sevens at Twickenham on Sunday.

The South Africans looked composed and scored five tries against the Japanese team, with Ronald Brown grabbing a first-half brace.

Impi Visser also scored before the break to help the Blitzboks to a 17-7 lead, with Brown's second try coming late after Japan lost a player to the sin-bin.

Shaun Williams went over early in the second half but he lost ball over the line, however, a minute later Christie Grobbelaar made no mistake after a good chip from Mfundo Ndhlovu.

Travis Ismaiel had the last say with his second try for the Blitzboks in only his fifth tournament.

Their final game of the tournament is the ninth-place play-off at 16h08 against USA - who drew with South Africa in their pool match on Saturday.

Scorers:

South Africa 29 (17) - Tries: Ronald Brown (2), Impi Visser, Christie Grobbelaar, Travis Ismaiel. Conversions: Ricardo Duarttee, Justin Geduld.Japan 7 (7)- Try: Taiga Ishida. Conversion: Taichi Yoshizawa.