Women's series leaders Australia faced a Russia side who handed them their first defeat of the season at the semi-final stage in Malaga last weekend.

Australia lost their final Pool C match 12-10 against France at the Estadio Olímpico de la Cartuja after a late try from Anne-Cécile Ciofani, while Russia also progressed only in second place after losing 21-14 to Ireland in Pool B.

Two early tries from Sharni Williams set Australia on their way in the quarter-final clash, with Alysia Felau-Fakaosilea making it 19-0 at the break, before Madison Ashby, Teagan Levi, Dominique Du Toit and Charlotte Caslick all crossed the whitewash in an eventual 41-0 win.

Malaga winners the United States will be their semi-final opponents, after Jaz Gray scored two more tries in a 15-0 victory over hosts Spain to take her tally for the tournament up to six.

They had earlier seen off Canada 14-7 to make sure of top spot in Pool A.

On the other side of the draw, a hat-trick from Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe helped Ireland into their first semi-final since 2019, with the star performer also providing two assists in a comfortable 36-12 win against Canada.

England await Ireland in the semi-finals, after they stunned a France side who sit second in the season standings.

Megan Jones notched two tries in a 21-12 English victory in the quarter-finals.

In the men's tournament, South Africa took the field for the first time in Seville to start their search for a sixth consecutive gold medal, after receiving a walkover against absentees Samoa yesterday.

They beat Spain 33-12 and the US 24-19 to win Pool A, but found the second-placed side from Group D in Scotland a tough nut to crack in the quarter-finals.

Two tries from substitute Selvyn Davids helped to stave off a major upset against the spirited Scots and secured a 31-24 victory.

South Africa have now won 32 consecutive Sevens Series matches.

They will face Ireland in the last four, after the Irish triumphed 24-12 against an England team who won Pool C earlier in the day by beating France 24-17.

The French were on the end of a 26-21 defeat by Olympic bronze medallists Argentina in the quarter-finals, with their opponents second in the season standings having won a medal at each of the first three events.

The Argentinians are set to play Australia in the semi-finals as they came from behind to beat the US 29-14.

Action in Seville is set to conclude with the semi-finals, finals and placement matches tomorrow.