Cape Town – New Zealand have claimed 5th place at the London Sevens after beating the Blitzboks 21-17 in a pulsating encounter at Twickenham. 

New Zealand opened the scoring after two minutes with a converted score by Sione Molia who beat a number of defenders to score under the posts for a 7-0 lead. 

South Africa hit back with Muller du Plessis but the conversion was missed as New Zealand still led 7-5 after four minutes. 

The Blitzboks then took the lead with Du Plessis steaming away from the All Black defence for his second of the match.

Again the conversion sailed wide but South Africa led 10-7 at half-time.

New Zealand were back into in front after three minutes of the second half with Andrew Knewstub stretching and just making the line with a converted try which saw them out to a 14-10 lead. 

In a topsy turvey affair, South Africa hit the front again with Steadman Gans crashing over for a converted try to put South Africa 17-14 up with a minute to play. 

But New Zealand were not done and a converted try by captain Tim Mikkelson on the hooter broke Blitzboks hearts.

Earlier, South Africa were suprisingly beaten by Australia in their quarter-final clash, going down 29-22.

Next week, the final tournament in the World Sevens Series takes place in Paris.