South Africa win Sevens World Series
South Africa dramatically retained their overall World Sevens Series title by beating England in the final of the last of 10 tournaments on Sunday.
The Blitzboks' 24-14 victory in Paris ensured they overhauled Fiji in the overall standings by 182 to 180 points.
🏆 Trophy lift: Back to back champions. @Blitzboks are your HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2018 Winners pic.twitter.com/R4s7XrCAey
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) June 10, 2018
It was only their second tournament victory out of 10 in the 2017/18 season compared to Fiji's five -- including the last four in a row -- but South Africa's consistency in reaching at least the semi-finals of every event proved decisive.
England's 19-17 victory over Fiji in the quarter-finals -- thanks to a stunning winning try at the end of a 26-pass move -- was crucial despite the Pacific Islanders bouncing back to claim fifth place with a 28-7 win over the United States.
In the final Werner Kok opened the scoring for the Boks before the English went ahead through scores from Oliver Lindsay-Hague and Dan Norton. A Ryan Oosthuizen try levelled matters at 14-14 before Dewald Human got South Africa's third and a Justin Geduld penalty secured the win.Consistency. Last year the @WorldRugby7s series was won by winning FIVE tournaments. This time they won in Dubai and Paris, losing finalists in Sydney, Hamilton and London. They won bronze in Cape Town, Vancouver, Hong Kong and placed fourth in Las Vegas, Singapore. #weplayforyou pic.twitter.com/pJVHoUzEcy
— Springbok Sevens (@Blitzboks) June 10, 2018
Your men's HSBC Dream Team for 2018:
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) June 10, 2018
Kalione Nasoko - @fijirugby
Dylan Sage -@Blitzboks
Oscar Ouma - @KenyaSevens
Jerry Tuwai - @fijirugby
Amenoni Nasilasila - @fijirugby
Ben O'Donnell - @aussie7s
Eroni Sau - @fijirugby #HSBC7sAwards pic.twitter.com/JvOJJzjS1f