April 18, 2008, 20:00
South Africa will have to win their pool to avoid a quarter-final confrontation with New Zealand in the England leg of the IRB Sevens World Series at Twickenham on May 24 and 25.
In essence that means that South Africa, who halted the All Blacks unbeaten run of seven tournaments and 47 matches in Adelaide three weeks ago, will have to beat France and England.
They are the two sides most likely to surprise the Springboks in Pool B. The fourth side in Pool B is Spain, who gets a rare opportunity in the IRB series because of their third place in the European champions, won by Russia with France as runners-up.
Although England lost all five their matches in Adelaide - to France, Kenya, Fiji, the USA and Wales - they are not to be taken lightly. Should South Africa win their pool, they are likely to play Argentina or Wales in the quarter-final, with New Zealand out and out favourites to head Pool A and face the runners-up of Pool B.
Fiji should not have too much problems in disposing of Canada, Australia and Portugal in Pool C. They won all three their pool matches in Adelaide against Kenya, France and England in the pool stages and trounced Australia 28-7 in the Cup quarter-final, but then lost narrowly to New Zealand (17-14) in the Cup semifinal.
Inconsistent Samoa have to win Pool D against Russia, Scotland and Kenya to avoid a probable play-off against the winners of Pool C, which should be Fiji. The Springboks will start their preparations for the Twickenham tournament in Stellenbosch on Monday.
Springbok Fabian Juries leads the 2007/08 IRB Series try race with 35 tries after six tournaments, followed by Samoa's Mikaele Pesamino (31) and Alafoti Fa'osiliva (Samoa), young All Black sensation Victor Vito and his team mate Steven Yatesm who have all scored 27 tries. - Sapa
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