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The 2016 American Sevens in Mar del Plata have been won by the home nation of Argentina with Los Pumas 7s defeating South Africa 7s Academy 17-14 in the Cup Final on Sunday evening.The teams earned the right to compete in the final after winning their respective Quarter Finals and Semi Finals fixtures earlier in the day.
Similar to Day One there were a number of upset results with one coming late in the day as Chile defeated the USA 17-7 to win the Plate final, thereby finishing in this place overall. Brazil also performed well, claiming a record 28-5 win over Uruguay to win the Bowl Final.
In the day’s opening fixture the USA secured a spot in the Cup Semi Finals by defeating Uruguay 19-12. The Eagles’ opponents were expected to be Canada but Chile caused the Canadians problems for the second time in as many days in completing a heard fought 10-5 win.
Awaiting Chile in the final four was South Africa who cruised past Brazil, defeating the host nation of the 2016 Olympic Games 33-7. Argentina, meanwhile saw off Paraguay in the remaining Quarter Final, winning 48-0.
The four losing Quarter Finalists fought for the right to dispute the Bowl Final. Uruguay was the first finalist, defeating Paraguay 21-0 while their opponents in the Bowl Final, handed Canada a second loss as Brazil saw off the Canadians 22-5.
Brazil’s success carried over into the Bowl Final while Canada and Paraguay squared-off in the seventh place final, won comfortably by the North Americans. Brazil and Uruguay finished in fifth and sixth positions respectively as eyes turned to the Cup Semi Finals.
A close contest in the first Semi Final went Argentina’s way. The 20-14 win was much tighter than the second Semi Final in which South Africa won 31-5 against Chile. Los Condores nonetheless ended the day happy after defeating the Eagles to finish third overall.
Chile’s eastern neighbors and regional rugby super power, Argentina saw off the challenge of Rugby Championship rivals, South Africa in the Cup Final. With the match having been poised ay 7-7 at half time Los Pumas 7s got home to win 17-14 thanks to a try from veteran scrum half Nicolás Bruzzone.
Cup Quarter Finals
Uruguay 12-19 USA
Canada 5-10 Chile
South Africa 33-7 Brasil
Argentina 48-0 Paraguay
Bowl Semi Finals
Uruguay 21-0 Paraguay
Canada 5-22 Brazil
Cup Semi Finals
USA 14-20 Argentina
Chile 5-31 South Africa
Seventh Place Final
Paraguay 0-26 Canada
Bowl Final
Uruguay 5-28 Brazil
Plate Final
USA 7-17 Chile
Cup Final
Argentina 17-14 South Africa
