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South Africa have done it again. For the fourth time in five HSBC Sevens Series tournaments the Blitzbokke took the top spot with a 19-12 win over Fiji in the Cup Final. The route wasn’t easy as they had to overcome a fierce challenge from the Eagles in the Semi Final, but inaccuracy cost the home side at key moments and South Africa made the most of the USA’s mistakes.
A last-gasp try from Andrew Durutalo saw they Eagles defeat New Zealand 19-15 to take the Bronze. While the team will be pleased with their overall performance, they will not rest on their laurels for long. A poor finish against England cost them a win in the pool stages and a poor start against Argentina nearly knocked them out in the Quarter Finals. If they can reduce their own mistakes heading into Vancouver they could well be in the running for the Cup Final.
The other three Americas sides each saw their day end early. Argentina could not crack the Australian defense and bowed out with a 14-0 loss in the 5th Place Semi Final. The other 5th Place Semi was similarly unkind to Canada. A late try from Harry Jones gave them hope in the final minutes against England, but tired legs could not provide the energy to find a tying score. Chile fell by 24-7 to Japan in the 13th Place Semi Final, with their seven points all going to standout Marcelo Torrealba.
With an enormous 24 point lead on the overall table after only five tournaments it looks virtually impossible for anyone to stop South Africa from winning their second-ever HSBC Sevens Series title, their first coming in the 2008-09 season. Argentina and Canada finish with 10 points each, a good result for Canada and par for the course for the Pumas.
The USA have now moved up to 6th overall, tied with 5th place Australia in 52 points and only marginally behind in differential. They have finished 6th in each of the past two seasons.
Argentina are in 8th spot, seven points behind the USA and five behind 7th place Scotland, but have Wales hot on their heels. Canada remain in 12th, just one behind Kenya.
The Series now moves on to the second North American leg to be held in Vancouver next weekend. Ticket sales have gone exceptionally well, with a reported total nearing 75,000 over two days now sold, far surpassing the 56,000 of last year’s inaugural event.
DAY THREE RESULTS
13th PLACE SEMI FINALS
Japan 24 – 7 Chile
Wales 24 – 5 Russia
TROPHY SEMI FINALS
France 7 – 14 Kenya
Scotland 0 – 24 Samoa
5th PLACE SEMI FINALS
Australia 14 – 0 Argentina
Canada 5 – 12 England
CUP SEMI FINALS
South Africa 20 – 17 USA
Fiji 19 – 14 New Zealand
13 PLACE FINAL
Japan 19 – 21 Wales
TROPHY FINAL
Kenya 21 – 14 Samoa
5th PLACE FINAL
Australia 7 – 10 England
BRONZE FINAL
USA 19 – 15 New Zealand
CUP FINAL
South Africa 19 – 12 Fiji
