New Zealand's poor record at the Las Vegas round of the World Sevens Series has continued, with South Africa winning the Cup final 14-7 today.
South Africa's victory has allowed them to take the series lead from Gordon Tietjens' men, who have never won a tournament in the Nevada city. South Africa lead the series ahead of the Wellington round which starts on February 7 by one point: 78-77. Fiji are third on 56.
It was a disappointing effort from New Zealand, who lost their main strike weapon Waisake Naholo to injury in the first half. They took the lead through a Scott Curry try in the first half but conceded a seven pointer on the stroke of half-time when Branco du Preez went in under the posts. In the second half New Zealand lacked accuracy in the set pieces and energy in open play.
Werner Kok scored the clinching try for South Africa, the defending champions, following a mistake from a New Zealand lineout, with Kok scorching down the sideline and pushing off replacement Ambrose Curtis to score in the corner. Cecil Afrika was successful with the sideline conversion.
The loss brings down the curtain on a frustrating tournament for Tietjens, who lost Sam Dickson after pool play to a nine-match suspension for contact with the eye area on an unnamed Fiji player.
