Kiwi captain D.J. Forbes is tackled by South African players on the way to last night's victory. Photo / Reuters
A ruthless New Zealand reclaimed the Hong Kong Sevens rugby title they last held in 2001 with a comprehensive 26-7 win over South Africa last night.
The four tries to two victory means New Zealand have won all five rounds of the world series so far this year,
going unbeaten in 42 matches and reaping the maximum 110 points on offer.
South Africa remain a distant second in the series on 72 points.
New Zealand's performance, as it was in the 34-0 semifinal win over Fiji earlier, was masterful with coach Gordon Tietjens' men playing at a level of fluency that have set a new benchmark in the series.
While Victor Vito was the star of the semifinal, it was Lote Raikabula who inspired New Zealand in the final, scoring two tries in the first half and setting another up for Zar Lawrence early in the second half.
New Zealand left South Africa clutching at shadows as they rocketed home three converted tries in for a 21-7 lead by halftime - Steven Yates scoring his eighth try of the tournament in between Raikabula's.
South Africa's score came off an opportunistic try to Mzandile Stick after an uncharacteristic error by Cama turned the ball over.
After Lawrence's early score in the second half, New Zealand were content to hold off South Africa who finally broke through in the dying seconds with a consolation try to Fabian Juries.
Tietjens said not winning the tournament since 2001 had been nagging the team for a while and to have finally done it was pretty special for the team.
Score
New Zealand 26 (Lote Raikabula 2, Steven Yates, Zar Lawrence tries, Tomasi Cama 3 con)
South Africa 12 (Mzwandile Stick, Fabian Juries tries; Renfred Dazel con).
- NZPA
