Hong Kong Sevens 2019 scores: South Africa smash Japan as Scotland are beaten by Samoa
- Blitzboks fight back from first-half deficit to seal comfortable win
- Scotland’s campaign off to a stuttering start with defeat by Samoa
South Africa smashed Japan 22-7 to begin their Hong Kong Sevens campaign with a bang as Scotland fell to a 17-7 defeat by Samoa.
Japan took a shock lead inside the first minute when Siosifa Lisala crossed. South Africa hit back through Werner Kok, who crashed over in the corner, though the conversion was missed.
Kok ran in down the right 90 seconds into the second half to make it 12-7.
Scores from Justin Geduld and Siviwe Soyizwapi then put South Africa out of sight as the defending series champions started on a good note.
In the first world series match of the night, Scotland scored with three minutes gone through Max McFarland after Samoa were down to five men.
But Samoa equalled things up just before the break through Melani Matavao’s converted try, and then put the game to bed in the second half with scores from John Vaili and Tofatuimoana Solia.
