Bokke blitz Kiwis in Vegas
South Africa produced a stunning performance to beat IRB Sevens World Series leaders New Zealand 40-21 and claim the United States title in Las Vegas.
Recalled playmaker Branco du Preez put in a sparkling performance for the BlitzBokke, combining brilliantly with Paul Delport to inspire the team to victory.
The Boks scored six tries in all to lead 40-7, before a late kiwi rally.
In winning the Las Vegas title, their first since 2011, the South Africans become the fifth different nation to win a Cup title from five events played, as the nine-round Sevens World Series edges past the halfway stage.
Heading into rounds six and seven in Hong Kong and Japan, South Africa have climbed to second in the Series standings on 73 points, 23 behind New Zealand (96) and ahead of Samoa (71) and Fiji (66).
The two island nations combined to put on a thrilling curtain-raiser to the final in the 3rd/4th play-off, the Samoans winning 36-31 in extra time. In the other trophies, Canada beat hosts United States and then Scotland to claim the Plate, France edged Argentina to the Bowl and Australia were too strong for Uruguay in the Shield.
Across the three days of competition, the United States Sevens 2013 enjoyed a record crowd of 67,341-3,000 more than last year's previous best.
Gordon Tietjens' side had reached the final after beating 2011 finalists Fiji 19-14 in sudden death extra time through a David Raikuna try in the corner while it was Seabelo Senatla who dived into the opposite corner for 2011 winners South Africa against Samoa.
The defending champions narrowly beat Fiji to finish third in United States, winning 36-31 against their pacific island neighbours in one of the matches of the tournament. Leading 21-12, before trailing 31-26, Robert Lilomaiava scored to take the match to sudden death extra time, before also adding the winning try.
Cup results:
Final:
New Zealand 21-40 South Africa
Semifinals:
Samoa 7-12 South Africa
Fiji 14-19 New Zealand
Quarterfinals
Fiji 21-19 United States
New Zealand 17-0 Canada
Samoa 12-5 Scotland
South Africa 26-0 Wales
Third-place play-off:
Fiji 31-36 Samoa
Canada lift the Plate title
Canada won the Plate title with a 22-5 win over Scotland. Tries from Nanyak Dala, Conor Trainor and a 20th career try for John Moonlight helped them to a fine win.
Canada captain Dala had earlier come off the bench to secure a dramatic 24-19 victory in the first Plate semifinal against United States in sudden death extra time. Scotland reached the final after Stephen Gemmell's side recorded their highest ever victory against Wales, winning 35-14.
Plate results
Final:
Canada 22-5 Scotland
Semifinals:
Scotland 35-14 Wales
United States 19-24 Canada
Eight Series points for France in Bowl
France won the Bowl title with a 17-12 win over Argentina. Tries from Terry Brouhroua, Renaud Delmas and Vincent Deniau helped France to a narrow win in a physical contest
Argentina defeated Spain 21-12 to reach the Bowl final while Julien Candelon scored two great tries against last week's winners England in a 40-7 win, Les Bleus' highest score against England in the history of the Series.
Bowl results:
Final:
Argentina 12-17 France
Semifinals:
England 7-40 France
Spain 12-21 Argentina
Bowl quarterfinals
Spain 12-0 Portugal
Argentina 24-0 Uruguay
England 26-21 Australia
France 21-17 Kenya
Australia win Shield
Michael O'Connor's side collected three Series points to end a disappointing campaign in Las Vegas. They beat Uruguay 41-0 in the final with Sean McMahon scoring two tries and Lewis Holland his eighth of the tournament in the widest ever margin in a Shield final.
Uruguay beat Portugal in the semifinal, the first match of day three, with Ian Schmidt scoring his fifth World Series career try in the win. Holland completed a hat-trick as Australia beat last week's finalists Kenya 38-7.
Shield results:
Final:
Uruguay 0-41 Australia
Semifinal:
Australia 38-7 Kenya
Portugal 5-7 Uruguay
