Japan struggles mightily at Dubai Sevens

South Africa beat Fiji 26-14 in the final of the Dubai Sevens on Saturday (Sunday NZ Time) to make the the ideal start to the world sevens series.

The Blitzboks beat the reigning World Series and Dubai champions Fiji in a dominant display in the final.

South Africa eased through its pool against the United States, Scotland, and Uganda, while Australia needed a last-minute try from Charlie Taylor to beat Kenya 17-12 and top Pool D.

South Africa responded quickly, however, and wrestled momentum back through man-of-the-match Chris Dry, whose score changed the face of the game.

Ghislaine Landry provided the only scoring for Canada against Fiji.

New Zealand looked well off the pace, with their preparation affected by the relatively late confirmation of a coach to replace decorated 23-year mentor Sir Gordon Tietjens. 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.

England finished eighth in last season’s overall standings but, having formed the core of the Team GB squad that sealed an impressive silver medal this summer, took much of that form into the 2016-17 opening weekend in Dubai. But their progress was halted in a 17-7 loss to Russian Federation.

Fiji responded through Setareki Bituniyata in the left-hand corner and made the conversion to edge ahead, but in response Dan Norton used his trademark speed to bring up his 215th try on the circuit.

“We need to start over again for Cape Town and see what kind of pool we are in”, a smiling Snyman said. “We need to recover well over the next few days”.

The 2017 HSBC Women’s Sevens competition in Las Vegas will be the third of six stops in the global HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series featuring 12 teams beginningFriday, March 3.

However, two tries in the final five minutes gave Fiji its best-ever result at a World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series event.