This year's Championships doubled up as the rugby competition at the South American Games and saw the powerhouses of the men's and women's game on the continent once again reinforce their standing as the top sevens sides in the continent.

The Pumas warmed up for the upcoming rounds of the International Rugby Board (IRB) Sevens World Series in Tokyo and Hong Kong by storming through the round-robin stage at the Mahuida Rugby Park, which included shut-outs against Paraguay, Brazil and Peru while also impressing against Colombia and hosts Chile.

Uruguay put up the most resistance to the Argentines going down 14-5, and it was no surprise that both sides made it through to the gold medal match.

Although the Uruguayans managed to breach the Argentinean defence, the men in blue and white eventually ran out 29-5 winners.

Chile delighted the home fans by overcoming Brazil 31-7 in the bronze medal contest.

Uruguay will join Argentina in the rugby sevens competition at the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games, while the rest of the South American sides will have an opportunity again next year to secure the final two spots for Toronto.

Argentina's experience on the World Sevens Series tour has given them an edge over their South American rivals ©AFP/Getty Images



Brazil's women also secured their Pan American Games berth after clinching a 10th South American Championship in equally dominant fashion.

They blitzed through the round-robin stage with six wins from six and ended up in the final against great rivals Argentina.

However, the Pumas' women could not match their male counterparts and were well beaten by 40-0.

A low-scoring bronze medal game saw Uruguay overcome Colombia 5-0.

"This was a wonderful competition played with great spirit, and a fantastic occasion for South American rugby to play in a multisport arena alongside so many other marvellous athletes," said IRB regional general manager for South America Santiago Ramallo.

"All of these nations are at different stages in their rugby development, but with Rio 2016 on our door step in just two years time each of them is planning in their own different way towards the Olympic Games.

"Our congratulations to Argentina and Brazil for winning their competitions, and to Uruguay's men and Brazil's women for booking their places at the Pan-American Games in Toronto next year, another significant milestone on the road to Rio."

The HSBC Sevens World Series continues with the next round of the tour at the Tokyo Sevens on March 22 and 23.

The next round of the Women's World Series takes place in Guangzhou, China on April 5 and 6.

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