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With one third of the new season complete, the race to the 2011/12 HSBC Sevens World Series title is still wide open after three superb opening rounds in Australia, Dubai and South Africa.

New Zealand's dramatic win against hosts South Africa at the Nelson Mandela Bay South Africa Sevens makes it three different Cup winners this season.

The reigning Series champions now lie joint-top in the standings with Gold Coast winners Fiji, with South Africa and England close behind.

"It was a great final, South Africa played really well but it was great for my new young guys to come on and provide something for that win," said NZ coach Gordon Tiejtens after the 31-26 triumph, secured in the dying seconds.

"It's great for my team to get back on track. To beat South Africa on their ground is great for us. When you look at it, we have been to three tournaments and been in two finals. I am really proud of the guys."

In all, five different nations have competed for top honours in the first three Cup finals in the Gold Coast, Dubai and Port Elizabeth, underlining the competitive nature of the Series, and of Rugby Sevens in general.

Having led since their Cup title on the Gold Coast, Fiji ended with a startling 48-0 loss to Wales in the Plate final.

They take 51 points into round 4 in Wellington, level with New Zealand, but still three clear of the Boks and four clear of Dubai champions England.

"Not really the way we wanted to end," admitted the Fijians' new coach, Alifereti Dere.

"At least for these first three rounds we are at least joint top, but we will go back and review now. That was what we wanted from the start and what we were aiming for from the first three tournaments.

"It is very tight at the top but that will encourage us to work harder and it is great for the spectators too. This result doesn't reflect our first three tournaments but I am a very happy coach and I am happy with the performance of the boys during these first tournaments," added Dere.

Wellington pool draw

The Fijians will have an immediate chance to right the wrongs of South Africa when they face Wales in Pool C at the NZ International Sevens in Wellington.

The pool draw for the fourth round of the Series was made just prior to the Cup final in Port Elizabeth and all the top seeds have been handed tough assignments on day one - including New Zealand, who face PE bronze winners Samoa, Bowl winners Scotland and Japan.

"It is going to be close going to Wellington, it is a great World Series," enthused Tiejtens.

"There is no easy draw and we go to Wellington, it is our tournament, but we know there is extra pressure because of that. Hopefully we can put together a good squad for that tournament."