South Africa shocked favorites England and New Zealand to clinch the Dubai sevens title for the first time Friday.
New Zealand, the IRB Sevens champion for the last two years and winner in Dubai for the last four years, went down 33-26 in a dramatic final, South Africa sealing victory with a long-range try in the final minute by Fabian Juries.
It was no more than the side, coached by 1995 World Cup winner Chester Williams, deserved after leading three times.
Tonderai Chavhanga gave South Africa a flying start with a converted try in the first 30 seconds. Amasio Valence equalized with a score of his own.
Marius Schoeman then showed terrific pace to dash clear from 65m out to put South Africa 12-7 in front.
New Zealand then turned the score around to lead 19-12 thanks to tries from Craig De Goldi and Tafai Ioasa.
Crucially, South Africa claimed the first try of the second period, from Danwell Demas while a breakaway effort from Dale Heidtmann then helped put his side 26-19 clear.
Justin Wilson stepped through a gap in the African defense for a converted try which leveled the scores at 26-26 but Juries -- voted the player of the tournament -- had the final word, scorching away for the match-winning try.
Earlier in the day, South Africa stunned the capacity 20,000 crowd with a 13-12 defeat of top seed England. Earl Rose landed a late match-winning penalty.
Rose gave his team the lead with a try only for England to surge 7-5 at the break thanks to a converted score by Richard Haughton.
Juries restored South Africa's lead with a well-worked try wide on the left only for Rob Thirlby to come off the bench for England and make an immediate impression, picking up a loose ball on the halfway line and dashing away to score.
But with only 30 seconds to go, South Africa was awarded a penalty which Rose landed in style.
New Zealand had earlier come desperately close to going out of the main competition at the quarterfinal stage, squeezing home in sudden death extra time against France.
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