South Africa maintain grip on World Series thanks to crucial third-place points

One seven-minute period of disjointed rugby ruined South Africa’s hopes of winning a maiden Hong Kong Sevens but the Blitzbokke still managed to cling to their lead atop the HSBC Sevens World Series standings after finishing third.

The South Africans came apart in the first half of their Cup semi-final against eventual winners Fiji on Sunday.

After powerful performances throughout the weekend, the South Africans were starved of possession and allowed Fiji to take a 21-0 half-time lead. They came back in the second half but it was too late as the Fijians reached the final with a 21-15 victory.

“It was definitely a game of two halves. I was disappointed with that [first] half,” said South Africa coach Neil Powell after his team beat Samoa 26-5 in the third-place play-off. “We gave away too many penalties and made too many mistakes.”

South Africa came into the Hong Kong leg of the Sevens World Series with a five-point lead over New Zealand, who dropped to third after losing to Fiji in Sunday’s Cup final.

After seven World Series tournaments South Africa have 110 points with Fiji on 108 and New Zealand on 107.