South Africa and Fiji are both on 86 log points with one tournament left in the series, to be played in New York next weekend. Fiji has a +201 points differential and South Africa +199 and are the only two teams that can claim the overall series in the USA.

The Springbok Sevens side qualified for the final by beating Australia 19-12 in their semifinal, while Spain made the final by beating Fiji in their final four match. 

A blitzkrieg of sorts jumped the Blitzboks 17-0 into the lead against Spain.

Ryan Oosthuizen scored after a quick tap penalty put him in possession 50 meters out and like the Perth final, he scored the opening try of the match. The Blitzboks defensive alignment caused all sorts of problems to Spain, who panicked and tried elaborate passing to release pressure. Twice though, that resulted in SA turnovers and Sebastiaan Jobb and Shilton van Wyk scored from those for a 17-0 lead at the break.

Jobb ran onto a pinpoint pass from Tristan Leyds and Van Wyk chased down a Leyds grubber as South Africa won a line-out from a Spain throw-in.

Leyds was named Player of the Final for his exploits.

The second half delivered another masterclass from Visser and his men. Van Wyk scored early in the half as Spain was again pinged in their half and conceded possession.

They finally broke their deadlock when Jeremy Trevithick outpaced the tiring SA defence. From the restart though, Gino Cupido ran onto a Jobb pass to score and the successful conversion all but confirmed the result. Spain scored once more before the final try was fittingly scored by Visser, who intercepted another stray Spain pass, with the captain running 50 meters to deliver the final blow.

Tristan Leyds was named Player of the Final.

Tristan Leyds was named Player of the Final.

The Blitzboks earlier outplayed Australia in the semifinals, coming from behind to beat the Aussies 19-12.

Ronald Brown opened the scoring against Australia after a good switch move with Ryan Oosthuizen left the Aussie defence flatfooted. Brown then executed a try saving tackle as well, but that did not stop the Australians to score twice in short succession to take a 12-7 lead into the break.

At this stage, Australia targeted the breakdown to dominate possession.

The second half saw a change in fortunes though as the SA bench made the needed impact to secure possession. David Brits scored in the corner after a determined run down the touchline and a delightful conversion by Tristan Leyds edged South Africa ahead.

A turnover by Impi Visser in his own half then delivered the knock-out punch. The ball was recycled and Selvyn Davids dotted down in the opposite corner to put South Africa 19-12 ahead.

With the clock in the red, Australia had one more sortie into the SA half, but a handling error resulted in the Blitzboks earning a consecutive win over Australia, the same team they beat in Perth last month as they marched towards the title.

Scorers:

South Africa 19 (7), Australia 12 (12)

SA – Tries: Ronald Brown, David Brits, Selvyn Davids. Conversions: Brown, Tristan Leyds.

Aus – Tries: Aden Ekanayake (2). Conversion: Dietrich Roache.

South Africa 38 (17), Spain 12 (0)

SA – Tries: Ryan Oosthuizen, Sebastiaan Jobb, Shilton van Wyk (2), Gino Cupido, Impi Visser. Conversions: Ronald Brown (2), Dewald Human (2).

Spain – Tries: Jeremy Trevithick, Anton Legorburu Anso. Conversio: Juan Martinez.