Fiji were again the nemesis of the Springbok sevens rugby team, knocking them out of the Hong Kong tournament at the weekend. The islanders won 24-19.

The Boks were relegated to the plate event, where they beat Australia 26-19 in the final yesterday.

"We had our sights set on the cup, and we slipped up against Fiji but that's the bounce of the ball and that's the nature of sevens rugby," said Springbok skipper Kyle Brown.

In the plate final, the Boks' tries were scored by Sibusiso Sithole (2), Cecil Afrika and Branco du Plessis. Afrika kicked three conversions.

Brown paid tribute to Afrika's outstanding game in the final. "He's something special, he's a great playmaker . he puts you through gaps and works his own magic the whole day."

Brown needed to be substituted in the final after a blow to the head. He said, however, that he would be fit to play in the next world sevens series tournament in Adelaide this week.

• New Zealand swept to the Hong Kong title, beating Fiji 19-14 in the semifinals and England 29-17 in the final. The win puts the All Blacks five points ahead at the top of the world series table.

The series now moves to Australia before finishing in England and Scotland in May. England are second in the overall standings with 105 points, well clear of Fiji and Samoa who share third spot with 84 points. South Africa are fifth on 72 points.

• Canada took the third-tier bowl title by defeating Japan 33-12.