More misery for Blitzboks in Toulouse

The top four sides in this year's HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series qualify for the Olympics automatically and the defeat to Australia will see them qualify into the top tier next weekend in London, where the last tournament of the current series will be played.

South Africa will now have to compete in the Rugby Africa Sevens Cup later in the year in order to qualify.

The South Africans started strong against Australia, with Mfundo Ndhlovu darting through in the second minute and a 5-0 lead. Australia pulled one back three minutes later with their converted try giving them a 7-5 lead. A try on the buzzer, by Shaun Williams, converted by Ronald Brown pushed the Blitzboks into a 12-7 lead at the break.

Australia scored from the second half restart and extended that 14-12 to 21-12 with two minutes to play, with Maurice Longbottom dotting down.

James Murphy did pull one back and Justin Geduld's conversion made it a two-point game. The Blitzboks had one final chance to attack, but was pinged for holding on in a tackle, giving the Aussies the opportunity to close out the game with a touch finder.

South Africa 19 (12) - Tries: Mfundo Ndhlovu, Shaun Williams, James Murphy. Conversions: Ronald Brown, Justin Geduld.

Australia 21 (7) - Tries: Henry Paterson, Tim Clements, Maurice Longbottom. Conversions: Longbottom (2), Dietrich Roache.