The Blitzboks extended their Series winning streak to 27 matches in reaching the semi-finals at the Estadio Ciudad de Málaga yesterday, having won both of the season openers in Dubai.

They eased past Australia 19-0 in the semi-finals, while second-placed Argentina reached their first final of the 2022 Series with a 26-17 victory over England.

Olympic bronze medallists Argentina got off to a perfect start in the final with an early try from Rodrigo Isgro, and defended superbly for the bulk of the opening period.

However, their resistance was broken in the final play of the first half by Davids, who crossed the whitewash before Branco du Preez kicked between the posts to put South Africa 7-5 in front.

JC Pretorius extended the top seeds' lead, but a quickfire double from Joaquin de la Vega turned the contest around and had Argentina 17-12 ahead.

Justin Geduld levelled the scores at 17 each and took the match to the final play.

It was the player of the final Davids who then made the decisive contribution, notching a try converted by Geduld to clinch a 24-17 win.

The Argentinian players sank to their knees as they were forced to settle for second, having finished third twice in Dubai.

In the bronze medal match, England came from 10-0 down to impressively overcome Australia 24-20.

Before the men's final, the United States clinched their first World Rugby Women's Sevens victory of the season, with Jaz Gray scoring two tries in their 35-10 triumph over Russia.

Kris Thomas opened the scoring for the United States just one minute into the game, only for Baizat Khamidova to hit back for Russia.

Naya Tapper put the US 14-10 in front at the break, before a double from Gray and a late try from Ilona Maher wrapped things up for the Americans, for whom Nicole Heavirland converted all five tries.

Snezhanna Kulkova was on the scoresheet for Russia in the second half as they built on two fourth-place finishes earlier in the season in Dubai.

They had earlier in the day staged an upset to beat Series leaders Australia, who had won both of this season's tournaments so far.

Two tries from Kristina Seredina proved crucial in Russia's narrow 29-26 win.

The US beat France 14-10 to reach the final.

Both sides scored two tries, with the kicking of Alena Olsen decisive as she converted both for the Americans.

Australia recovered from their defeat to thrash France 33-7 in the bronze medal match.

Spain is also set to host a men's and women's Series event next weekend, with action scheduled for January 28 to 30 at the Estadio de La Cartuja in Seville.