Sevens: South Africa win Dubai event as NZ slump

South Africa players celebrate after winning the Dubai leg of the IRB Sevens World Series. Photo / Getty Images

South Africa won the Dubai Sevens with a crushing 33-7 victory over Australia in the final, after earlier hammering All Blacks Sevens in the semifinal.

New Zealand also lost the third-place playoff match to Fiji.

Seabelo Senatla was the star of the show in the final with a brace of tries as South Africa won the event for the first time since 2008.

Kwagga Smith, Philip Snyman and Ruhan Nel also crossed the whitewash for the dominant Africans while Pama Fou scored Australia's only try.

"There's a lot of open space on a sevens pitch and if you can get your speedsters into those open spaces, they can do something for you," said Blitzbok coach Neil Powell.

"We're not the biggest team on the circuit but the guys are really physical. I'm really proud of their defensive effort today."

Captain Kyle Brown said they had improved significantly since losing to England in the third-place match at the opening event of the World Series in Australia - the Gold Coast Sevens.

"We didn't play our best in Australia but this was a fantastic event for us. We've worked hard on our defence all day and this means a lot to all of us. We'll enjoy tonight for sure," said Brown.

South Africa blew away Argentina 40-0 in the quarter-finals and New Zealand by a surprising 28-0 in the semis.

The Australians pulled off the surprise of the tournament in the semis when they rallied from 19-0 down, then 24-12 behind, to draw with Fiji 24-24 and force extra time. There, they produced the winning try through Greg Jeloudev.

Coach Geraint John was proud of the performances that moved Australia to third in the Sevens World Series standings.

"For us to get to a Cup Final was a terrific effort. I was a bit disappointed that we allowed Scotland back into the game with a couple of late tries in the quarter-final (22-17), but we showed an incredible amount of character to beat Fiji.

"It was a huge result for us and I was particularly delighted with the impact our bench had in that game. Nick [Malouf], Allan [Fa'alava'au] and Greg Jeloudev all played big parts for us from the bench.

"There's no doubt South Africa are a very good side and while I want us to enjoy getting to a Cup Final, it's now important we recover and prepare well again.

"Samoa got to the Cup Final on the Gold Coast but didn't reach the top eight in Dubai - the competition is so tight and it's crucial we don't drop off in Port Elizabeth next week."

Fiji, winners on the Gold Coast, remained top of the standings after winning Dubai's third-place match 26-12 over New Zealand.

They now have a two-point lead over South Africa with third-placed Australia just ahead of New Zealand, Samoa and England.

Argentina beat Scotland 26-12 to win Dubai's Plate final with Samoa winning the Bowl and Canada taking the Shield.

-AAP