HSBC SVNS: Argentina on course to defend their Hong Kong crown after making semi-finals with Spain, South Africa and New Zealand

Argentina have the chance to defend their Hong Kong title after reaching the semi-finals along with Spain, South Africa and New Zealand on a thrilling day two of the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens.

A record-breaking crowd created a party atmosphere at Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Stadium as they were treated to four memorable quarter-finals with no shortage of drama.

QUARTER-FINALS

Argentina have the chance to defend their Hong Kong title after reaching the semi-finals along with Spain, South Africa and New Zealand on a thrilling day two of the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens.

In front of over 40,000 fans – a new record for a Hong Kong Sevens single-day attendance – Los Pumas 7s saw off 24-17 to set up a last-four showdown with Spain, while South Africa will face New Zealand in the other semi-final.

Santiago Alvarez and Marcos Moneta both scored twice for Argentina and that was enough to see off a stellar Fiji side who crossed through Apete Narogo, Joseva Talacolo and Viwa Naduvalo but had Akuila Dranivotua sent off.

Moneta, whose second try clinched victory for Argentina, said: “It’s incredible – we love this tournament and we love this stadium.

“It’s always a pleasure to play against Fiji – the kings of the Sevens – and we have a really good relationship with them.

“They’re always good battles and I’m happy for the win of course. Now we most focus on Spain.”

Spain caused a huge stir by beating Australia 19-5 to clinch their first-ever place in a Hong Kong semi-final at a raucous Kai Tak Stadium

Los Leones Sevens ran out worthy victors after tries from Jeremy Trevithick, Tobias Sainz-Trapaga and Manu Moreno with Aden Ekanayake claiming Australia’s only score.

Spain star Pol Pla said: “Wow! It’s our first semi-final here in this city, in this stadium and with this atmosphere.

“It’s amazing, it’s a gift, but we’ve been training a lot to achieve this so it’s the result of all our hard work back home.

“It would be incredible to be in the final and a dream to do it fifty years on from the first tournament here in Hong Kong.”

Siviwe Soyizwapi broke Kenya’s hearts with a last-gasp try to hand South Africa a hugely dramatic 26-22 victory and seal their semi-final spot with New Zealand at a raucous Kai Tak Stadium

In a quarter-final for the ages, the Kenyans led 22-21 in the closing stages after scores from John Ohoth Okeyo, Denis Abukuse, Kevin Wekesa Nyongesa and Festus Shiasi Safari.

Kenya had only ever beaten their African rivals once in a quarter-final – and that was in Wellington way back in 2013.

Agonisingly, they could not keep out the Blitzboks at the death as Soyizwapi went over to win it from Tristan Leyds’ neat pass, adding to tries from Selvyn Davids, Donavan Don and Quewin Nortje.

Matchwinner Soyizwapi, who made his Blitzboks debut in Hong Kong a decade ago, said: “Today was all about character and coming back against a really strong Kenya side.

“I think the boys can be happy with that performance and New Zealand will be a really tough test in the semi-final.

“We’ll rest up now, recover and come up with a gameplan against them.”

New Zealand booked their semi-final spot with a 19-10 win over France.

Sam Clarke, Akuila Rokolisoa and Brady Rush scored their tries but the French pushed them hard after scores from Liam Delamare and Gregoire Arfeuil.

Roderick Solo of the All Blacks Sevens said: “To be honest, we had a rough game earlier today against Australia but felt as if we were tracking in the right way.

“I think the boys just had a shift in mindset after that game and it’s so pleasing to see us come away with the win.”

9TH PLACED SEMI-FINALS

Great Britain’s men followed the success of their women’s team by winning their 9th Place Semi-Final after defeating USA 17-12.

Their tries came from Finley Lloyd-Gilmour, Marcus Kershaw and Charlton Kerr while Ben Broselle, Marcus Tupuola went over for the Eagles.

Uruguay claimed a resounding 35-12 win over Germany in the second 9th Place Semi Final.

Ignacio Rodriguez, Pedro Hoblog (two), Tomas Etcheverry and Joaquin Suarez while Germany replied through Makonnen Amekuedi and Niklas Koch.

POOL A: Spain show their class

Spain flexed their muscles with a commanding 21-0 victory over Uruguay with tries from Josep Serres, Manu Moreno and Jeremy Trevithick.

South Africa turned on the style with a thumping 38-0 win against Argentina which harvested scores for Sebastiaan Jobb, Ryan Oosthuizen, Selvyn Davids, Tristan Leyds (two) and Shilton van Wyk.

POOL B: Fiji edge out France in thriller

France and Fiji were both guaranteed a quarter-final spot but faced off to decide who finished top of Pool B – and it was the latter who ran out victorious in a 26-24 success.

Fiji’s tries came from Nacani Boginisoko, Apete Narogo (two) and Viwa Naduvalo with Diego Miranda, Jordan Sepho, Ali Dabo and Simon Desert crossing the line for the French.

Tries from Makonnen Amekuedi and Niklas Koch saw Germany clinch a momentous 17-14 win over Great Britain, who touched down through Marcus Kershaw and Finley Lloyd-Gilmour.

Germany’s Felix Hufnagel could not hide his delight afterwards after kicking a dramatic matchwinning penalty, saying: “I practised so often and just tried to keep the same routine.

“I hoped for the best and was just lucky to get the ball through the posts.

“Being here in Hong Kong is amazing and such a step up in everything you could imagine.

“It’s been a brilliant experience and we hope to get more of it.”

POOL C: Aussies beat New Zealand to reach summit

Dietrich Roache’s matchwinning double wiped out Dylan Collier’s early try for New Zealand and handed Australia a 12-5 victory over their fierce rivals.

Tries from John Ohoth Okeyo, Denis Abukuse, Nygel Pettersan Amaitsa gave Kenya a 17-10 win over USA, whose scores came from Ben Broselle and Lucas Lacamp.