Tim Walsh helped Australia to Plate victory

Star player Henry Paul added: "Over the whole tournament we have played well, but in that one game we lost possession and possession is vital.

"But no excuses, South Africa used the ball well - they used it better than us."

It was a different story in the final as New Zealand ran in eight tries, with the South Africans struggling to come to terms with the pace of the game.

Chris Masoe, Craig de Goldi, Amasio Valence and Eric Rush all went over in the first half, while Valence added all four conversions.

Gaffie du Toit converted a Paul Treu try in response for the Boks, but it was a repeat performance after the break.

Joe Rokocoko waltzed past Anton Pitout to get the scoreboard moving again for New Zealand, and Hayden Reid added two tries as South Africa were brushed aside.

Australia managed seven tries as they took the Plate final with a 45-14 win over Samoa, Scott Barton and Tim Walsh grabbing two tries each.

France had a tough battle before winning the Bowl final 22-19 against Canada, after a hat-trick from Frederic Lartigue.

Renaud Dulin was carried off with an ankle injury in the last four minutes, and Les Bleus had to hold on with six men.

Vasil Abashidze scored a splendid hat-trick to give Georgia a 20-14 win over Scotland in the Shield final.

IRB World Sevens Series results (Saturday):

Cup final: New Zealand 54-14 South Africa
Plate final: Australia 45-14 Samoa
Bowl final: France 22-19 Canada
Shield final: Georgia 20-14 Scotland

Cup semi-finals:
New Zealand 29-0 Wales
South Africa 26-12 England

Cup quarter-finals:
New Zealand 14-7 Samoa
Wales 19-10 Argentina
South Africa 24-19 Fiji (aet)
England 26-14 Australia

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