Fiji

SAfrica, NZ overcome defeats as Fiji roll on at Cape Town 7s

Published Dec. 12, 2015 2:04 p.m. ET

foxsports

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) Rugby heavyweights South Africa and New Zealand overcame shock defeats on the opening day of the Cape Town Sevens to qualify for the quarterfinals on Saturday.

Host South Africa was beaten 14-12 by Kenya in its second match to dent its prospects of progression, but tries by Juan de Jongh and Ryno Benjamin secured a 10-0 victory over England in its final match and second place to Kenya in Pool B.

England, the finalist in Dubai last week, needed only a draw to advance but was rocked by South Africa's physicality.

A week after it twice lost to the United States in Dubai, injury-plagued New Zealand was defeated by another North American opponent when Canada pulled off a 24-12 upset.

The New Zealanders bounced back to top Pool D by beating Samoa, while Canada missed out on advancing, being pipped by France on a rare countback of conversions.

Fiji, winner of the opening round of the world series in Dubai, had no such trouble, racking up 129 points in its three victories.

As a result, Fiji will take on France in Sunday's quarterfinals, while South Africa will face Australia, and New Zealand will be up against Argentina.

Kenya, whose victory over South Africa coincided with its national day, will play the U.S. in the final quarterfinal.

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