The Manu Samoa Sevens is through to the semifinals of the Vancouver Sevens after a comprehensive 28-17 victory over the leaders of the HSBC Sevens Series, South Africa. 

A clinical Samoa team outmuscled and outscored the Boks, to set up a semifinal clash with Fiji on the second day of the tournament.

It is Samoa’s first time in the semifinals after making their first HSBC Sevens return in Singapore last week where they were denied in the quarterfinals. 

This time around, there was no denying a determined Samoan outfit who dominated the South Africans in the physical exchanges and most importantly on the scoreboard. 

Vaa Apelu Maliko led the way, scoring two of Samoa’s tries to help his team to a handsome 21-0 lead at half time. Samoa opened the scoring through Afa Sua who took advantage of a penalty against South Africa and found enough pace and power to score at the corner. 

Zan Davis put the Boks on the scoreboard at the start of the second half with the first of their tries but Falaniko scored Samoa’s fourth try to put the game beyond doubt, 28-10. 

Ill discipline from the men in blue during the dying minutes opened the door for a consolation try from the number 1 ranked team on the HBSC Sevens Series.

Samoa finished second in their pool on Sunday, with victories over Wales 26-12, Japan 35-10 and narrowly losing to New Zealand 24-31, where the team played with six players for the most part of the match.

The tournament continues.