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South Africa claimed a remarkable double in Paris as their depleted squad won a handsome victory over England in the Cup Final, in doing so pushing past Fiji to take the overall 2017-18 HSBC Men’s Sevens Series title. The Blitzbokke had entered the tournament seven points short of Fiji and without star players Cecil Afrika and Branco du Preez, but showed resilience to overcome a pool stage defeat and scrap their way to the title on Day Two.
The Fijians were odds-on for the title having won four tournaments on the trot but faltered in the Quarter Finals, losing 19-17 to England thanks to a late try from captain Tom Mitchell. They would finish in 5th place but South Africa’s Cup Final win was just enough to see the overall title slip through their fingers.
Canada finished their campaign on a high despite suffering a heavy defeat to New Zealand in the Bronze Final. They reached the Semi Finals for just the second time this season after beating the upstarts Ireland by 19-5 in the Quarter Finals.
The USA were forced to play their second day without star forward Danny Barrett who was withdrawn for precautionary reasons, and would finish the tournament with only nine fit players after Madison Hughes, Malon Al-Jiboori, and Faitala Talapusi were injured. They ended in 6th place with Fiji too much in the 5th place Final.
After a miserable opening day Argentina redeemed themselves on Day Two as they defeated Kenya, Australia, and Wales in succession to claim the Trophy and 9th place in Paris. It was just enough to see them leapfrog Kenya into 7th overall on the season.
All teams will now begin their final preparations for the 2018 Rugby World Cup Sevens which kicks off in San Francisco on July 20.
DAY TWO RESULTS
TROPHY QUARTER FINALS
Kenya 12 – 19 Argentina
Australia 14 – 5 Russia
France 19 – 7 Samoa
Scotland 5 – 28 Wales
CUP QUARTER FINALS
Fiji 17 – 19 England
Ireland 5 – 19 Canada
USA 7 – 33 New Zealand
South Africa 15 – 10 Spain
13th PLACE SEMI FINALS
Kenya 26 – 14 Russia
Samoa 19 – 24 Scotland
TROPHY SEMI FINALS
Argentina 24 – 19 Australia
France 26 – 28 Wales
5th PLACE SEMI FINALS
Fiji 38 – 5 Ireland
USA 28 – 7 Spain
CUP SEMI FINALS
England 26 – 12 Canada
New Zealand 12 – 24 South Africa
13th PLACE FINAL
Kenya 21 – 20 Scotland
TROPHY FINAL
Argentina 33 – 26 Wales
5th PLACE FINAL
Fiji 28 – 7 USA
BRONZE FINAL
Canada 5 – 38 New Zealand
CUP FINAL
England 14 – 24 South Africa
