South Africa’s seven-a-side national rugby team, the Blitz Boks Are a joint third with France after three legs of the World Rugby World Sevens Series which docks in Perth Australia, this weekend.

They had a bumpy start in Dubai last December before bouncing back to win the home tournament in Cape Town one week later and finishing fourth in Singapore. Fiji leads the pack with 52 points ahead of second-placed New Zealand on 48. 

But, South Africa (46), France (46), Australia (38) and Argentina (32) who are among the chasing pack still have a chance to topple the pecking order. 

Edged Out Spain

In Singapore, South Africa edged out Spain 21-14, beat Great Britain 33-12 and Fiji 24-19. They were knocked out by France 12-5 in the cup semi-finals and lost 12-14 to New Zealand in the play off. 

The draw in Perth has South Africa on a collision course with the top seeds Fiji, Spain and an unpredictable and resurgent Argentina. Pool B has France, New Zealand, Australia and Great Britain. 

New Zealand Rivalry

In the women’s category, a lively rivalry between New Zealand and Australia continues with the hosts hoping to turn tables on their opponents in the home tournament. New Zealand (58) are placed top with Australia (56) a close second.

Again, the chasing pack of USA (40), Canada (36), France (36), Japan (36) and Fiji (32) are still within striking distance. In Perth, New Zealand will be up against USA, Fiji and Japan in Pool A with Australia leading the challenge in Pool B against Canada, France and Great Britain.

Overall Standing

Men: Fiji 52, New Zealand 48, South Africa 46, France 46, Australia 38, Argentina 32, Spain 26, Great Britain 24.

Women: New Zealand 58, Australia 56, USA 40, Canada 36, France 36, Japan 36, Fiji 32, Great Britain 18.

Singapore Sevens Results

Women

France 24 Canada 29, New Zealand 64, Great Britain 0, USA 22 Japan 19, Australia 35 Fiji 7, France 32 Great Britain 5, New Zealand 19 Canada 12, USA 17 Fiji 12, Australia 26 Japan 19, Canada 52 Great Britain 0, New Zealand 55 France 7, Japan 12 Fiji 34, Australia 26 USA 19.

Cup Semi Finals: Australia 35 Canada 10, New Zealand 44 USA 7; Final: Australia 7 New Zealand 36.

Third Place Play Off: Canada 24 USA 19.

Fifth Place Semi Final: Fiji 36 Great Britain 12, France 32 Japan 0; Play Off: Fiji 14 France 17.  

Seventh Place Play Off: Great Britain 5 Japan 41.

Men

France 19 New Zealand 12, Argentina 14 Australia 19, Fiji 22 Great Britain 19, South Africa 21 Spain 14, France 31 Australia 7, Argentina 20 New Zealand 26, Fiji 28 Spain 7, South Africa 33 Great Britain 12, New Zealand 29 Australia 10, Argentina 15 France 19, Great Britain 14 Spain 29, South Africa 19 Fiji 24.

Cup Semi Finals: Fiji 21 New Zealand 14, France 12 South Africa 5;  Final: Fiji 21 France 12.   

Third Place Play Off: New Zealand 14 South Africa 12.

Fifth Place Semi Final: Spain 26 Argentina 12, Australia 26 Great Britain 19; Seventh Place Play Off: Spain 12 Australia 26.

Seventh Place Play Off: Argentina 14 Great Britain 10. 

Perth Sevens Draw and order of play

Women

Pool A: New Zealand, USA, Fiji, Japan; Pool B: Australia, Canada, France, Great Britain.

USA v Fiji, New Zealand v Japan, Canada v France, Australia v Great Britain, USA v Japan, New Zealand v Fiji, Canada v Great Britain, Australia v France, Fiji v Japan, New Zealand v USA, France v Great Britain, Australia v Canada, 

Men

Pool A: Fiji, South Africa, Spain, Argentina; Pool B: France, New Zealand, Australia, Great Britain.

South Africa v Spain, Fiji v Argentina, France v Great Britain, New Zealand v Australia, South Africa v Argentina, Fiji v Spain, New Zealand v Great Britain, France v Australia, Spain v Argentina, Fiji v South Africa, France v New Zealand, Australia v Great Britain.