The South African team won each of their pool matches yesterday to set up a quarter-final match against Samoa at The Sevens Stadium.

Two tries from Seabelo Senatla helped the South African team toward a 26-10 victory, setting up a match against Fiji, following their thrilling 35-24 triumph against Scotland.

Senatla scored another try to put South Africa 12-0 up in the tie, following the first minute opener from Cecil Afrika.

Fiji reduced the arrears to 12-7 when Jerry Tuwai went over for a try, but South Africa held on to reach the final.

They faced the challenge of New Zealand, who followed a 14-12 quarter-final win over Kenya by then overcoming England 14-5 in the last four.

South Africa made a blistering start to the final, with Philip Snyman, Senatla and Kwagga Smith scoring tries in the opening four minutes of the contest.

Tries from Andrew Knewstubb and Scott Curry brought New Zealand back into the match in the second period.

Timothy Agaba came off the bench to seal the victory for South Africa, as he went over in the final two minutes to score their fourth try to end the match at 24-12.

“We kind of let them back into the game,” said Snyman.

“It was a long pre-season and a lot of guys went on to play some 15s so it’s a new team with some unfamiliar faces.

“We want to focus on our processes and it we leave the result and result doesn’t go our way then we’re still happy.”

England claimed victory in the bronze medal match, with their team securing a 28-21 win over Fiji.

Tom Bowen starred for England by scoring a brace of tries in the match.

Australia finished in fifth place by beating Samoa 22-17, while France won the challenge trophy by overcoming Spain 21-12.