South Africa beat Fiji to seal the gold medal in New York, adding to their Cape Town, Perth and Vancouver crowns, and clinch the overall HSBC SVNS Series title.
Both prizes were on the line but Philip Snyman’s Blitzboks edged out Fiji 10-7 in an enthralling final to cap an action-packed weekend of action in the first-ever tournament in New York.
South Africa captain Impi Visser, playing his 50th tournament on the global circuit, showed his strength to pilfer possession from Fiji and then intelligence to send Gino Cupido racing clear for the opening try.
Tristan Leyds added a second before Terio Veilawa got Fiji back into the game to set up a tense finale.
The Blitzbok, though, showed remarkable defensive resolve to hold on for the win, while Fiji made it six podium finishes in six HSBC SVNS Series tournaments.
After South Africa won their seventh final on US soil, HSBC Sevens Player of the Final Selvyn Davids said: “What a performance!
“We stuck to our guns because we knew Fiji were going to be physical, but thankfully we came out on top.”
Inspirational skipper Visser added: “It was a massive defensive effort and testament to all our hard work.
“We couldn’t have scripted it any better and we’re just thankful we came up with the win.
BRONZE MEDAL: Los Pumas edge out Australia to claim bronze medal
The bronze medal was on the line as Argentina faced Australia in the third place play-off – and it was Los Pumas who emerged victorious with a resounding 26-10 success.
Wallace Charlie, 19, dived over to open the scoring before Pedro De Haro, Marcos Moneta and Matteo Graziano and Sebastian Dubuc touched down to give Argentina a stunning podium finish.
Jayden Blake scored a late consolation try but Los Pumas were emphatic victors, much to the delight of coach Santiago Gómez Cora.
Argentina are defending champions in Hong Kong and Cora said: “I’m so happy because we’re growing as a team and developing new players, so to finish the weekend with a medal is fantastic.
“We’re now focused on the Championship in Hong Kong and we love the atmosphere there – the people are outstanding but we have to be focused.”
In the first of the fifth place semi-finals, New Zealand advanced with a dramatic 31-24 win over Great Britain courtesy of Fletcher Morgan’s late try.
New Zealand began brightly and were rewarded with two early tries from Kele Lasaqa and Bradley Tocker.
Tom Burton, Charlton Kerr, Finley Lloyd-Gilmour and Marcus Kershaw replied for Great Britain.
Tries from Michael Manson and Akuila Rokolisoa levelled the scores at 24-24 before Morgan’s late clincher.
In the second fifth place semi-final, France beat Spain 36-5 with tries from Simon Desert and Maxim Granell, Josselin Bouhier (two) and Jordan Sepho (two), with Manu Moreno replying for the Spanish.
SEMI-FINALS: Fiji and South Africa show their class to seal final spot
Fiji were in blistering form as booked their place in the final with a comprehensive 28-7 win over Australia.
Fiji trailed to James Turner’s early touchdown but soon established total control with tries from Joseva Talacolo, George Bose, Viwa Naduvalo and Kavekini Tanivanuakula.
South Africa then flexed their muscles with a hard-fought 14-5 semi-final win over Argentina to set up a final showdown with Fiji.
Sebastiaan Jobb and Selvyn Davids, with his 102nd try on the circuit, touched down for the Blitzboks before Marcos Moneta replied for Los Pumas, which proved nothing more than a consolation score.
Eduardo Lopez ran in a delightful double, and Manu Moreno and Jaime Manteca also touched down, as Spain beat Great Britain 24-12 in the seventh place play-off.
Ryan Apps’ first-half brace was not enough for Great Britain who finished in eighth spot, with both sides in action at the World Championship in Hong Kong next month.
Spain coach Paco Hernández took great heart from how his side ended the tournament, saying: “It was very important to finish with a win and it will give us confidence for the next three tournaments.
“We are happy with this finish and now we need to build a team for the last three because every side is improving.”
In the fifth place play-off, New Zealand and France served up a thrilling encounter which wich the French won 21-14.
The reigning Olympic champions and the All Blacks Sevens were tied at 14-14 when Ali Dabo grabbed his second try late on with an well-anticipated interception score.
Dylan Collier and Akuila Rokolisoa scored for New Zealand but Dabo’s double and Paulin Riva’s score gave France the win before sides prepare for next month’s World Championship in Hong Kong.