Publications
Partners
Cape Town - Despite being thrashed in the final of the Sydney Sevens by hosts Australia, the Blitzboks have returned to the summit of the standings.
The Blitzboks would've fancied their chances in the showpiece match, but inexplicably went down 29-0 to a rampant Australian men's side who added to their women's counterparts who won their Sevens final against New Zealand.
The Blitzboks were the defending champions in Sydney and the final was Australia's first tournament triumph since 2012 in Tokyo.
It was also Australia's first win on home soil in 16 years, their last success coming at Ballymore in Brisbane in 2002.
To ease their pain somewhat, Neil Powell's men returned to the top of the standings after New Zealand, who had lead the way heading into Sydney, were knocked out in the quarter-finals.
The Blitzboks lead by four points heading into next weekend's tournament in Hamilton, New Zealand.
Australia vaulted into third place on the standings, albeit 15 points behind the Blitzboks, but have announced themselves as strong contenders for the rest of the series.
Remaining tournaments in the 2017/18 World Sevens series:
February 3-4: Hamilton, New Zealand
March 2-4: Las Vegas, USA
March 10-11: Vancouver, Canada
April 6-8: Hong Kong
April 28-29: Singapore
June 2-3: London
June 8-10: Paris
