South Africa have won their home Sevens Cup title for the first time, coming from behind in a thrilling final to beat defending champions New Zealand 12-7 and clinch the 2008 Emirates Airline South Africa Sevens in George.
In doing so South Africa also won successive IRB Sevens World Series Cup titles for the first time and open up a 12-point lead in the early season standings.
New Zealand scored first through their captain DJ Forbes but Renfred Dazel snatched one back at the end of a tight first half, at the end of which South Africa trailed 7-5.
The Boks camped out for much of the second period in New Zealand's 22 but looked destined to miss out again with New Zealand's famous defence holding firm, but Mzwandile Stick jinxed through the defence with two minutes on the clock to score what proved to be the decisive try.
After superb victories in both Dubai and George, South Africa have a maximum 40 points in the World Series, ahead of New Zealand on 28 and England and Fiji on 24.
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England beat Portugal to Plate success
England recovered from the disappointment of losing in the Cup quarter finals by beating first Samoa and then Portugal to take the Plate trophy and eight points towards the World Series.
Isoa Damu struck first for England but Aderito Esteves' try on half time brought the scores level in the final.
Further scores for impressive playmaker Mickey Young, flyer Mat Turner and Kevin Barrett took the English out to a 24-7 victory.
The Portuguese deservedly take six World Series standing points from the George tournament, which has showed once again that they are a force to be reckoned with in the Sevens game.
Earlier Portugal recovered from the disappointment of losing their Cup quarter final against Argentina by seeing off the USA 24-7 to reach the match-up with England, David Mateus their outstanding player, Mat Turner's opportunist kick-and-chase try won a gruelling encounter for England against Samoa at the death, 20-19.
France win Bowl
France finished in style, overcoming Michael O'Connor's newlook Aussies 21-12 in a high quality Bowl final to take two points for the World Series.
The French scored three tries through Nicolas Brindel, Eddy Labarthe and Loic Mazieres, while Australia scored through the impressive Luke Morahan and Richard Kingi.
Earlier France won an impressive victory against Kenya, 19-14, while Australia held on in the face of a late Welsh fight back to win 22-19.
Zimbabwe win Shield
Zimbabwe followed their 40-5 demolition of Tunisia with an equally convincing 26-0 win to beat Scotland in the final of the Shield.
Gerald Simbanda scored a brace and Gardner Nechironga and Tangai Nemadire each scored one try as the Africans proved far too strong for a young Scottish side that has struggled to compete with more seasoned oposition in both Dubai and South Africa.
