Springboks win first Sevens title

South Africa clinched their first IRB Sevens World Series title on day one of the Emirates Airline Edinburgh Sevens at Murrayfield.

Twenty points clear of England in the race for the overall title, Paul Treu’s side needed just a single point from the final event in Edinburgh, and will take at least four after reaching the Cup quarter-finals.

They topped Group A after victories over France, the USA and New Zealand.

“It’s an unbelievable feeling for me, I can can only imagine how the players are feeling,” Treu said.

Kenya surprisingly topped Group C by beating both the hosts Scotland and England, winners of last weekend’s event in London.

Scotland also advanced to the quarter-finals after beating England 33-17.

England coach Ben Ryan: “We have been off form today. It is hard to believe that last weekend we were winning the cup and this week we failed to qualify for it.

“We have to go away and reflect and come back tomorrow and improve.”

Fiji pipped Australia at the death to win 26-19 and top Group B, although both sides progressed to the last eight.

Samoa advanced from a tight Group D along with Wales. Wales beat Argentina and lost against Samoa but piled on the points against Georgia to guarantee qualification on points difference.