Rugby sevens: New Zealand finish pool play at Vancouver sevens with win over South Africa

New Zealand's Scott Curry. Photo / Photosport

The All Blacks Sevens have finished pool play in Vancouver in the Canada leg of the world sevens series with a confidence-boosting 33-14 win over South Africa.

New Zealand will meet the United States in Monday's quarter-finals (NZT), the Americans picking up early wins over Uruguay and Canada before falling 31-21 to Australia in their last pool match.

The Blitzboks were left chasing the game after the New Zealanders racked up three tries in the opening seven minutes.

Scott Curry crossed first with Dylan Collier following soon after, set up by a beautifully weighted floating pass from 21-year-old newcomer Ngarohi McGarvey- Black.

McGarvey-Black's fifth-minute try completed a strong first half to give the All Black Sevens a 21-0 lead at half-time.

Dylan Sage's try put South Africa on the board one minute into the second spell, but Collier's second two minutes later restored the Kiwi lead.

Kyle Brown added a second for the Blitzboks, with New Zealand having the final say through Luke Masirewa.

Skipper Scott Curry said the All Blacks Sevens had known how crucial a strong start was against the series-leading South Africans.

"We knew they were going to be physical and they really were at the start. We wanted to take it to them and I think we did pretty well," he said.

"We had three pretty tough games today so to get through it with three wins in a pool like that, we're really pleased."

New Zealand had earlier beaten Scotland and Russia in contrasting matches, battling to defeat the Scots 31-26 before dissecting Russia 31-5.

The All Blacks Sevens are currently second in the standings, 10 points behind South Africa, heading into the sixth round of the series.