Defending Dubai 7s champions New Zealand have lost their crown after being defeated 15-0 in the Cup final by South Africa.
South Africa came out firing throughout the game which saw them prevent the Kiwis from scoring tries and ball possession.
South African captain Siviwe Soyizwapi scored the first try for the Blitzboks in the 7th minute of the first half.
"When I have the space, I am dangerous in that position" @Blitzboks flyer Rosko Specman wins the @HSBC_Sport Player of the Final in Dubai #HSBC7s pic.twitter.com/YQTBGtCxZB
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) December 7, 2019
South Africa led 5-0 at halftime.
Clinical mistakes by New Zealand in the second half saw them giving away penalties costing them the game.
CHAMPIONS! @Blitzboks win the #Dubai7s, beating New Zealand 15-0, to get their series off to a flying start! #HSBC7s pic.twitter.com/cE9U1Zmdvh
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) December 7, 2019
Chris Dry and Seabelo Senatla scored two more tries for South Africa in the second half.
"I'm so proud of the boys. We call ourselves a defence team and we are proud of that. That's what the boys showed tonight."
Siviwe Soyizwapi reacts after his side won the opening leg of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series in Dubai. #Dubai7s pic.twitter.com/AuxiE0EriU
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) December 7, 2019
The win sees South Africa top the Series standings with 22 points. New Zealand follows in second place with 19 points, England sits on third with 17 while Fiji is ninth with eight points.
This is South Africa’s 7th Dubai 7s title.
CHAMPIONS! #Dubai7s pic.twitter.com/7FLjtJLWtb
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) December 7, 2019
Meanwhile, the New Zealand women’s 7s team won the women’s tournament beating Canada 17-14 in the final.
New Zealand and USA tops the women’s standings with 36 points followed by Australia with 32 points while the Fijiana 7s sits on 8th place with 10 points.
Incredible scenes as @BlackFerns celebrate going back to back in Dubai#Dubai7s pic.twitter.com/wDbKf7VSbL
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) December 7, 2019