Cape Town – The Blitzboks are still in with a chance of defending their World Rugby Sevens title after they emphatically beat New Zealand 24-12 in their semi-final at the Paris Sevens.

South Africa enjoyed a perfect start to the match with Werner Kok scoring after just a minute on the board.

Dewald Human missed with his conversion attempt, but the Blitzboks led 5-0.

The rest of the half saw no further points scored, but was filled with end-to-end action and simply incredible defence by both teams on occasions. ,.

The second half started much like the first with the Blitzboks scoring early as Human stepped his marker to cruise over under the posts for a converted try and a 12-0 lead. 

Ruhan Nel then extended the lead soon after as he crashed over for an unconverted try to make the score 17-0. 

New Zealand hit back through Jona Nareki bringing the score to 17-7, but Human was on again hand to stop any thought of a comeback as he scored his second for a 24-7 lead. 

New Zealand were last to score, when Joseva Ravouvou cruised through under the posts, but it was too little too late as South Africa marched on to the final where they will face England.

Kick-off is at 18:54 (SA time).

Earlier in the day England beat Fiji 19-17 in the quarter-finals to open the door for South Africa.