Boks win at Sevens Series

DUBAI – South Africa made a winning start to the new IRB Sevens World Series, rattling up 31 unanswered points to defeat New Zealand in treacherous conditions in the Dubai final.

The tournament is typically played in warm winter weather but torrential rain turned the pitch into a quagmire. New Zealand made the better start, surging 12-0 in front with tries from Edwin Cocker and Nigel Hunt, and even survived the yellow carding of Hunt for back chat to referee David Keane without conceding a point.But the tables were turned in dramatic style after the break as Tobela Mdaka launched the comeback by rounding off a long break by Philip Burger before Kabamba Floors surged over wide on the left for his side’s second try.South Africa, now level at 12-12, claimed the restart and recycled possession to go in front through Mdaka, and further tries from Danwel Demas and Stefan Basson rounded off a startling recovery.Coach Paul Treu admitted he was pleased with his side’s efforts in difficult conditions.New Zealand counterpart Gordon Tietjens admitted he was happy to leave Dubai with 16 points after failing to reach one final in last season’s world series.Samoa ended on a high, overcoming France 26-7 in the plate final with Mikaele Pesamino (2), Fautua Otto and Lia Palala crossing.And Argentina, who finished sixth in last season’s world series, won the bowl, defeating Zimbabwe 26-7 with tries from Francisco Merello (2), Martin Rodriguez and Nicolas Bruzzone.Wales lifted the shield, overcoming Arabian Gulf 33-0 as Tom James scored a hat-trick.New Zealand, who lost four semi-finals last season to Fiji, this time qualified with a 17-12 success over their great rivals with tries from Cocker, Lote Raikabula and Zar Lawrence.South Africa had earlier won 19-0 over England who were unhappy that a high tackle on Dave Strettle at a crucial stage went unpunished.Coach Mike Friday said: “It was late with intent and at the minimum deserved a yellow card, maybe even a red.”If the referee had made the right decision there we would have had a numerical advantage and could have kicked on.”New Zealand made the better start, surging 12-0 in front with tries from Edwin Cocker and Nigel Hunt, and even survived the yellow carding of Hunt for back chat to referee David Keane without conceding a point.But the tables were turned in dramatic style after the break as Tobela Mdaka launched the comeback by rounding off a long break by Philip Burger before Kabamba Floors surged over wide on the left for his side’s second try.South Africa, now level at 12-12, claimed the restart and recycled possession to go in front through Mdaka, and further tries from Danwel Demas and Stefan Basson rounded off a startling recovery.Coach Paul Treu admitted he was pleased with his side’s efforts in difficult conditions.New Zealand counterpart Gordon Tietjens admitted he was happy to leave Dubai with 16 points after failing to reach one final in last season’s world series.Samoa ended on a high, overcoming France 26-7 in the plate final with Mikaele Pesamino (2), Fautua Otto and Lia Palala crossing.And Argentina, who finished sixth in last season’s world series, won the bowl, defeating Zimbabwe 26-7 with tries from Francisco Merello (2), Martin Rodriguez and Nicolas Bruzzone.Wales lifted the shield, overcoming Arabian Gulf 33-0 as Tom James scored a hat-trick.New Zealand, who lost four semi-finals last season to Fiji, this time qualified with a 17-12 success over their great rivals with tries from Cocker, Lote Raikabula and Zar Lawrence.South Africa had earlier won 19-0 over England who were unhappy that a high tackle on Dave Strettle at a crucial stage went unpunished.Coach Mike Friday said: “It was late with intent and at the minimum deserved a yellow card, maybe even a red.”If the referee had made the right decision there we would have had a numerical advantage and could have kicked on.”