South Africa beat Argentina to claim sevens title

7.55am

New Zealand registered their worst International Rugby Board sevens performance of the season at Singapore over the weekend but hold onto a narrow series lead.

South Africa became the first team to win two tournaments this season when they beat France 24-19 in a final that went to extra time last night.

With just two tournaments remaining in the eight-leg series, South Africa climbed to 86 points, level with second-placed England. New Zealand lead with 92 points but their recent form suggests the defence of their title is far but guaranteed.

They lost 7-12 to bogey team Argentina in pool play -- their third successive loss to the South Americans -- and were upset 17-20 by France in the quarterfinals.

The New Zealanders beat Australia 29-0 in the plate semifinals but suffered a third defeat in the plate final, 15-19 to Fiji.

New Zealand led 17-15 with one minute remaining, but gave away a couple of penalties the French capitalised on to score out wide in the dying seconds.

France held a 10-7 lead at halftime after Amasio Valence converted a Sosene Anesi try.

Anesi dotted down again in the second half, while Valence scored himself but failed to convert either tries.

The result brought tears to the eyes of French coach Thierry Janecyek, They had lost their previous 16 IRB series matches against New Zealand.

Small consolation for New Zealand was that they extended their lead in the series from four to six points as nearest rivals England had an even worse tournament. They were hammered 0-21 by the rapidly-improving Argentina in the quarterfinals and 5-21 to Fiji in the plate semifinals.

Meanwhile, South Africa hung on in wet and slippery conditions to win a frenetic final.

Victorious coach Paul Treu paid tribute to all his players but especially Akona Ndungane, who tackled Argentina's Federico Serra 3m from the try line with seven seconds to go in regulation time to ensure the scores remained locked at 19-19.

More than 12,000 diehard rugby fans who braved the typically tropical afternoon downpour at the National Stadium to watch the teams score three tries each in regulation time.

The speedy Cora Santiago Gomez scored all three tries for Argentina, while South Africa replied with Mzwandile Stick getting over the line once and Lucas Floors twice.

Argentina, losing finalists for the second week running after having lost to England in the Hong Kong Sevens last Sunday, were proud to have made it to three straight finals. They won the title in Los Angeles.

IRB sevens standings: New Zealand 92, England 86, South Africa 86, Argentina 78, Fiji 60, Samoa 52, France 33, Australia 24, Canada 18, Tonga 8, Kenya 8, Scotland 6, Korea 2, Cook Islands 1.

- NZPA