Rugby sevens: NZ fall to South Africa in final

South Africa were too strong for New Zealand in the final. Photo / AP

The All Blacks Sevens are on the improve but cannot get past those pesky South African Blitzbokke.

New Zealand were beaten 26-17 by the hosts in this morning's Cup final for the South African Sevens title in Port Elizabeth. That follows their 28-0 Cup semifinal exit to the Blitzbokke in Dubai just a week ago.

Their day two form was strong and they entered their first Cup final of this HSBC Sevens World Series with confidence and having conceded just two tries in two days. But they were ultimately worn down by a Blitzbokke unit that was strong over the ball, effecting several key turnovers, which allowed them to clinch a second Cup win in the space of eight days after success in Dubai.

It all started to plan for New Zealand, the Pool D winners, when early pressure saw Sherwin Stowers cross the tryline from a long Tim Mikkelson pass. South Africa's riposte was swift and sharp, via Philip Snyman and then Cecil Afrika from a quick tap.

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Just on halftime, Afrika was sinbinned and New Zealand capitalised through Joe Webber, the last, inside, pass delivered by Stowers. New Zealand was back in the contest at 10-12 at the break, but there was a feeling they were just hanging on as the energised South Africans tackled like demons and hammered them at the breakdown.

Seabelo Senatla's sheer pace gave South Africa a nine point margin, which was pulled back to two when Webber's nice right foot step saw him go between the uprights.
South Africa, however, were not to be denied, and Kwagga Smith sealed it with two minutes to play.

Earlier, New Zealand had dispatched USA 28-7 in the quarter-final, with a Sam Dickson double, and Argentina 29-0 in the semifinal. Australia beat Argentina 34-19 to clinch third position.
The consolation for New Zealand is that they rise up the table to third place on 47 points, one clear of Australia. South Africa take the lead on 59 from Fiji (51). The next leg of the world series is the annual sevens jamboree in Wellington on February 6-7.