DUBAI 7s: Blitzboks claim Dubai Gold
South Africa built up a 14-0 lead before Fiji levelled matters with six minutes left in the match but the South Africans pulled away as the match drew to a close to claim the first leg of the season.
England put in a massive second half display to claim the bronze medal while Australia secured fifth spot with a hard fought victory over Scotland in the fifth-place play-off.
The USA bagged the first-ever Challenge Trophy as running Samoa into the ground while Uganda came extremely close to bagging 13th place but a late try secured a victory for Canada.
Cup Final
Fiji 14-26 South Africa
South Africa turned over the ball inside Fiji's 22 and then spread it wide to Seabelo Senatla, who cut inside before handing it to Cecil Afrika to grab the opening try of the match. The successful conversion ensured a 7-0 lead after two minutes. Branco du Preez grabbed their second converted try after four minutes to stretch the lead to 14-0.
Fiji had the final say of the half though when they grabbed their first converted try to reduce the deficit to 7-14 at the half-time interval.
Fiji levelled matters at the resumption of play with a brilliantly taken effort from the kick-off but Chris Dry was having none of it as he broke down the touchline to restore South Africa's lead with four minutes to go. The match was over as a contest with a minute to go as Seabelo Senatla scored his 11th try of the tournament to hand South Africa the victory.
Bronze medal
England 38-10 Wales
England opened the scoring with a converted try inside the first minute to take a 7-0 lead. England were on a rampage and scored two quick converted tries to stretch their lead to 21-0 with two minutes remaining in the half. Wales had the final say of the half though as they grabbed an unconverted try to trail 5-21 at the break.
Wales struck first in the second half to reduce the deficit to 10-21 to keep themselves in the match but England grabbed three unanswered tries to run out comfortable victors and bag the bronze medal.
Fifth place
Scotland 12-19 Australia
It was a tough battle at the start of the match until Australia exploited a slight gap to grab the opening score of the game in the fourth minute. However, Scotland kept the ball alive and got rewarded with a minute to go in the half with a try of their own to take a 7-5 lead into the break.
The second half remained tight as Australia looked to maintain possession. They did so and worked their way over the line to regain the lead, 12-7, with three minutes remaining. The match was over as a contest with a minute remaining as Australia bagged another try to ensure a 19-7 lead. Scotland grabbed a consolation score but it proved too late as Australia claimed fifth spot.
Challenge Trophy Final
Samoa 28-14 USA
The USA made the perfect start with a second minute converted try as they cut Samoa's defence to pieces but Samoa hit back immediately to level matters at 7-7 after three minutes. The USA grabbed two quick tries on the closing minutes of the half to ensure a 21-7 lead at the break.
USA controlled the possession in the second half and grabbed a fourth try with four minutes remaining in the match to end the match as a contest with a 21-point lead. Samoa grabbed a consolation score in the dying seconds to bring some respectability to the scoreline.
Thirteenth place
Uganda 17-20 Canada
Canada got their noses ahead in the opening minute, only to see their 5-0 lead become a 5-7 deficit after Uganda got their first try of the encounter. Uganda then found themselves down to six and were punished for it when Canada grabbed their second try. However, Uganda hit back soon after to head into the half-time break with a 12-10 lead.
Canada regained the lead in the opening minute of the second half when they grabbed their third try to ensure a 15-12 lead. Uganda got their noses ahead once again, after a brilliant break led to a five-pointer and a 17-15 lead. However, ill-discipline in the final minute saw them concede a late score that handed Canada the victory.
