New Zealand have been punished for a slow start, beaten 24-12 by defending champions South Africa at the World Sevens Series opening tournament in Dubai.
The Kiwis had remained unbeaten in pool play and through the quarter and semi- finals at the season-opening Dubai Sevens, but never really recovered from a storming South African start in the final.
Rosko Specman, Seabelo Senatla and Kwagga Smith crossed to give the Blitzboks a 19-0 half-time lead before the All Blacks Sevens staged a valiant second-half rally.
Chasing their first tournament win since Vancouver in 2016, the New Zealanders clawed their way back with tries to Scott Curry and Andrew Knewstubb after Specman was yellow-carded for a deliberate knock on.
![South African players celebrate their win at the Dubai sevens tournament overnight (NZT). Photo / AP.](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/EUNPOPOZ5QVE62U4SBNX6DCFNQ.jpg?auth=32c4be7cd756bf830aa233bc56d71991b5ee963c81f939e0a7ee7b8e370ad1b9&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)