Shujaa beat USA, book duel with South Africa after Hong Kong exit

Kenya Sevens fly half Nygel Amaitsa (left) in action against France at Hong Kong Sevens. [World Rugby]

After being knocked out of the Hong Kong Sevens Main Cup contention, Kenya Sevens bounced back to beat USA 17-10 in the ninth-place semifinal playoffs played at the Kai Tak Stadium on Saturday.

Shujaa lost 14-7 to defending World Rugby Sevens champions France in their penultimate final Group C match to bow out of the quarterfinal contention.

Shujaa had picked up four points on Friday after a stunning 19-0 victory over the series' second-best team Spain, and narrowly losing to Great Britain 12-7, keeping their quarterfinal hopes alive.

However, they needed a positive result against France to progress to the Cup quarters for the first time this season.

The defeat to France left them bottom of Group C as the French, Great Britain, and Spain made the last eight.

Against USA, Kevin Wekesa shrugged off two defenders to score between the posts for 7-0 lead after Nygel Amaitsa’s conversion.

The Americans kept pressing for an equalizer and after a series of Kenyan mistakes of ball handling from George Ooro and Patrick Odongo, USA took advantage of the repossessions to score an unconverted try at the stroke of halftime to trail 7-5.

In the final half, Odongo maintained his try-scoring form by netting his 18th try of the season and stretch Shujaa’s lead to 12-5 with an unconverted try.

A quick tap and go from former captain Vincent Onyala caught the Americans unaware as the KCB center strolled to score another unconverted try.

A late consolation try from USA could not change the results as Shujaa picked a 17-10 win.

Kenya will now renew their rivalry with South Africa in the ninth place final at 7am on Sunday.