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South Africa fight back to win Dubai Sevens

South Africa captain Jonathan Mokuena kisses the Dubai Rugby Sevens champion's trophy after defeating New Zealand 31-12 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on Saturday. PHOTO: AP

South Africa made a winning start to the new IRB Sevens World Series, rattling up 31 unanswered points to defeat New Zealand in treacherous conditions in the Dubai final.

The tournament is typically played in warm winter weather but torrential rain turned the pitch into a quagmire.

New Zealand made the better start, surging 12-0 in front with tries from Edwin Cocker and Nigel Hunt, and even survived the yellow carding of Hunt for back chat to referee David Keane without conceding a point.

But the tables were turned in dramatic style after the break as Tobela Mdaka launched the comeback by rounding off a long break by Philip Burger before Kabamba Floors surged over wide on the left for his side's second try.

South Africa, now level at 12-12, claimed the restart and recycled possession to go in front through Mdaka, and further tries from Danwel Demas and Stefan Basson rounded off a startling recovery.

Coach Paul Treu admitted he was pleased with his side's efforts in difficult conditions.

"But we did not play anywhere near our full potential," he said. "We can do better, and hopefully we can show that next week when we have better weather in George [South Africa] for the next leg."

New Zealand counterpart Gordon Tietjens admitted he was happy to leave Dubai with 16 points after failing to reach one final in last season's world series.

"This has been a great couple of days for us," he said. "We can only get better and improve."

Tietjens has been coach of the New Zealand sevens squad for 12 years. But his contract expires at the end of the current series and he admitted he was not yet sure whether he would continue in the role.

"I'm still considering my options," he said.

New Zealand, who lost four semi-finals last season to Fiji, this time qualified with a 17-12 success over their great rivals with tries from Cocker, Lote Raikabula and Zar Lawrence.

South Africa had earlier won 19-0 over England who were unhappy that a high tackle on Dave Strettle at a crucial stage went unpunished.

Coach Mike Friday said: "It was late with intent and at the minimum deserved a yellow card, maybe even a red."
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