It underlines the level of focus that the Blitzboks have that they did not even know they had already won the overall HSBC World Sevens Series title before their Paris leg semifinal against New Zealand on Sunday.
With closest challengers England eliminated by Scotland in the first semifinal, their mathematical chance of winning the 2016-2017 series slipped away.
But the Blitzboks were busy warming up for a tough match against old foes New Zealand and, while the management knew England's result, it was not passed on to the players. And none asked about it either.
That kind of concentration was key to their success that brought a second World Series crown, and the first this decade.
New Zealand were well beaten 26-5 and Scotland overcome 15-5 in the final.
It was fitting the overall title was secured with a fifth tournament victory in an eighth final appearance.
"We actually did not know that England lost their semifinal match against Scotland as we were warming up for our own semifinal against New Zealand," said captain Philip Snyman. "We knew that we would be series champions if we beat New Zealand, so went out with all guns blazing to win..."
The series moves on to London this week for the season finale at Twickenham.
In 2001-2012 New Zealand won seven tournaments in an 11-leg season. But since the tournament has settled at 10 stops across the world , six victories are the most any side has achieved.
- TMG Digital/TMG Sport
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