South Africa captured their second title of the season on Sunday when they stunned World Series leaders New Zealand 24-19 in the final to win the Tokyo Sevens.
It was a repeat performance for South Africa, following their 40-21 victory over New Zealand in the fifth round of the Sevens World Series in the United States last month.
South Africa went into the break trailing 12-0, but rallied early in the second half.
Branco du Preez scored nine points from three conversions and a penalty, while Cecil Afrika, Seabelo Senatla and Cornal Hendricks scored a try each.
“It is unbelievable,” said South Africa coach Paul Treu.
“For us we have been so unlucky throughout the year. To come back again after a disappointing tournament in Hong Kong, to bounce back and give a performance like that, it is not every day you beat New Zealand twice in the final. It is good momentum going into the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Moscow,” he added.
Earlier in the day, South Africa took a 19-12 quarter-finals win against Samoa — who are close rivals in the overall standings — and went on to beat France 14-12 in the semi-finals.
Defending Tokyo Sevens champions Australia, who lost to New Zealand 35-17 in the semi-finals, finished in third place beating France 31-7 in a play-off.
In the overall standings after the seventh leg of the nine-round series, New Zealand kept the lead on 132 points, while South Africa moved up to second on 100 points. Fiji were third on 98 points and Samoa fourth on 94 points.
shahsan
Guest
And it should culminate in Hong Kong. The Scotland and London legs are rubbish and anticlimatic.
shahsan
Guest
Exactly. Out of 14 or 15 tournaments, something like that. And the series still doesn't get a mention in any of the main newspapers in Australia. It needs to be stronger and have more top players involved
Wii
Guest
If they take the series this year it will be for the 11th time.
Shahsan
Guest
I think all the challenging sides have been disappointing. This was agood year to take over the kiwis at the top but none of the chasing pack ie Fiji, samoa, Kenya, South Africa, Australia, england have been consistent. They win one tournament and then get knocked out early in the next. And now thyre being chased by an enthusiastic bunch of teams that will become stronger over the newxt few years as we build up to Rio 2016 ie canada, wales, USA, scotland, argentina. france, portugal etc. New Zealand, on the other hand, have either won or finished high in every tournament, and they have done so while blooding lots of new players and with lots of injury problems. For the credibility of the IRB 7s series, the other teams have to step up. It is getting extremely boring seeing the kiwis win every year, good value though they are most of the time.
Wii
Guest
Exactly consistency is key whilst winning the individual tournaments certainly helps its series points overall that matter and NZ have amassed a healthy lead over their rivals
Leon
Guest
yep and the NZ womens 7s team winning the their tournament in China and also lead the series. Things are shaping up well for NZ 7s program despite the mens team missing their key players. But its still a long way till 2016.
atlas
Guest
the points gap - a top five or better finish in the next round in Scotland - even if SA wins - gives NZ the 2013 title with a round to spare worst NZ placing this series has been two thirds, add in four seconds and (just) one win, it's consistency no other team has been able to match Standings New Zealand 132 South Africa 100 Fiji 98 Samoa 94 Kenya and France 77 Wales 68 Argentina and Australia 62
Rebel
Guest
.....beaten by better team on the day. Keep sweating on the losses though.
richard
Guest
Congrats SA,down 12-0, but still able to come through and win it.That's the nature of sevens,you can't let your guard down,even for a second.
Cantab
Guest
Congrats to SA, good result for NZ though with Fiji falling off. 32 point buffer now.
Felix
Guest
At least we got something after my stormers hit a brick wall :-)
Of course.
HighTackle
Guest
Virus, food poisoning, match fixing, bad reffing, game not taken seriously.