South Africa

All Blacks Sevens into Las Vegas semis

New Zealand bounced back from their narrow 12-10 loss to Argentina in their final pool game on Sunday to run in three tries against England in Las Vegas.

Captain DJ Forbes scored the opening try before fellow veteran Tim Mikkelson ran in a brace.

The All Blacks Sevens will play old foes Fiji in the semi-finals at 11.06am NZT after hosts USA take on series leaders South Africa.

 

Photo: Photosport Tim Mikkelson 

Anti-immigrant protests erupt in South Africa's capital

The Somali traders form a protective line, some armed with sticks and rocks.

Riot police wedge themselves and their armored carriers between the two sides. A police helicopter hovers directly above, scattering dust and trash.

"Get out of our country," a woman cries pointing at the immigrants and taking a few steps forward. A trader yells back an insult.

Springboks great Joost van der Westhuizen dies at 45

Tributes began to flow as news spread of the death of the man who played a pivotal role in South Africa's Rugby World Cup win in 1995.

Van der Westhuizen played 89 Tests for the Springboks between 1993 and 2003. He scored 38 Test tries for his country and led South Africa for four years as captain, including a third-place finish at the 1999 Rugby World Cup.

However it was his performance at the previous World Cup, held in South Africa, that cemented his reputation in world rugby.

Blitz Boks extend lead as Pacific teams struggle

The Blitz Boks have won three of the four tournaments this season, opening up a 17 point lead over the English, who leapfrogged Fiji into second place in the overall standings

South Africa coach Neil Powell said it was especially satisfying after losing to England in pool play a day earlier.

"For the guys to come out and beating them in this way was great," he said.

Strong finish for the Ferns

New Zealand outclassed South Africa from start to finish in the match, shooter Bailey Mes made 28 of her 30 attempts while Tutaia slotted 27 from 34.

Tutaia proved the difference in the match; she only missed one shot in the opening 15 minutes of the match, almost matching South Africa's attempts in the first quarter alone.

The Silver Ferns built on their lead in the second quarter, continuing to impress on attack where centre Shannon Francois reveled in the space provided with an influential performance.

All Blacks Sevens beaten in Sydney semi-final

RNZ reports England will face South Africa in the final after Australia were well beaten by the Blitzboks 26-12 in the second semi-final.

The All Blacks Sevens and England played out a low scoring match marked by ruthless defence, as two teams that rely on power over pace struggled to break a second half deadlock.

Regan Ware scored the opening try and was then denied a second after a lob pass from Tim Mikkelson was ruled forward.

Phil Burgess answered with a try for England giving them parity 5-5 at half-time.

South Africa on course for victory after dismantling Sri Lanka

Quinton de Kock (101) completed his century as the Proteas posted a first-innings total of 392, before Vernon Philander (4-27) and Kagiso Rabada (4-37) took four wickets apiece to dismiss Sri Lanka in just 43 overs.

Despite their position of strength, South Africa opted against the follow-on and added a further 35 runs without loss before the end of the day.

Holding a 1-0 advantage in the three-match series, South Africa now appear certain to take an unassailable lead.

Fiji vow to learn from Dubai 7s defeat

Interim head coach Naca Cawanibuka ‏described it as a "tough day at the office" while Captain Osea Kolinisau tweeted that he was "Proud of the boys. A good start to the season and we will come out stronger next week."

Fiji still had the most players named in the tournament dream team, with newcomer Setareki Bituniyata joining Kolinisau and Jerry Tuwai.

Fiji have been drawn in Pool B in Cape Town, alongside France, Kenya and Japan.

Blitzboks beat Rio champs to gold in Dubai

The All Black sevens were crushed 40-nil by South Africa in this morning's Cup quarter-finals before being beaten by Australia 20-12 in the fifth place playoff.

New Zealand finished equal seventh/eighth alongside France and sit in the same place in the standings with 10 points.

South Africa claimed top prize after they beat last season's series champions and Olympic gold medallists, Fiji, 26-14 in the final.

HIV vaccine: Clinical trial begins in South Africa

The study aims to enrol 5,400 sexually active young men and women.

About seven million people in South Africa are living with the virus, which is one reason why the trial is taking place there.

Experts hope the vaccine will be "the final nail in the coffin" for HIV.

The vaccine regime being tested is based on one used in a trial in Thailand in 2009, which had a protection rate of about 30%. Results from South Africa are expected in four years.

Since the HIV virus was identified in 1983, efforts to develop an effective vaccine have proved unsuccessful.