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South Africa beat African rivals Kenya 26-7 to retain the Adelaide International Sevens, stretching their lead at the top of the IRB Sevens World Series table to 28 points with just two events to play.

Kenya earlier won a historic victory against World Cup runners-up Argentina to reach a first ever Cup final, but the Boks proved too strong in the final and hammered home their superiority at the Adelaide Oval.

With 104 Series points Paul Treu's full-time Springbok Sevens squad now leads the race for the Series from England on 76, with Fiji (74), Argentina (68) and New Zealand (64) most likely now all vying for second place.
Having lost to the Kenyans during the Pool stages, top seeds South Africa made no mistake in the final. A year after inspiring South Africa to victory here at the Adelaide Oval in 2008, Robert Ebersohn scored a try after just 28 seconds to give his side an immediate 7-0 lead against the Kenyans. Humphrey Kayange's try levelled the scores at 7-all but Vuyo Zangqa struck before the break for a 14-7 half time lead.

The second period was dominated by South Africa as they attacked at pace and defended well against Kenya's danger man out wide Collins Injera. Eventually Ryno Benjamin broke the deadlock, with Renfred Dazel rounding off a convincing performance with their fourth try to make the final score 26-7.

The impressively athletic Kenyans earlier won a fine semi final against Argentina 17-5 to confirm their status as a genuine power at the top of the Sevens game, while South Africa beat Hong Kong champions Fiji 21-10 thanks to two tries by Lionel Mapoe and a clincher by Zangqa.

New Zealand’s wretched run of results continued yet again losing out at the quarter-final stage 17-0 to a clinical South Africa, and Argentina’s Pumas edging Australia 12-5. Kenya proved far too strong for the Welsh running out 33-14 winners, while England, carrying only 9 men in this tournament, were humbled 40-0.

Sudden Death Gollings gives England Plate

The English took some solace later in the day though with Sevens veteran Ben Gollings scoring a sudden-death injury time try to win the Adelaide Plate trophy against home favourites Australia, 24-19, and claim eight points towards the World Series. Henry Vanderglas put the Aussies ahead after only 15 seconds but England hit back with three tries through Tom Varndell, Ollie Phillips and James Rodwell to lead 19-5 at the break. Richard Kingi spearheaded the fine Australian fight back with two converted tries to tie the game, but Gollings pounced in extra time.

England won a thrilling and high-class semi final against a ragged New Zealand 21-14. With the scores tied at 14-14 newcomer Dan Caprice broke a tired kiwi defensive line and went the length of the pitch to clinch victory for England. Australia won through to the final with a convincing 38-7 win against World Cup winners Wales.

Samoa comfortably take Bowl

Samoa overpowered France in the Bowl final to win 35-14. Paul Albaladejo scored in either half for the French but the islanders scored the opening four tries of the match through Lolo Lui, Alafoti Fa'osiliva, Jerry Meafou and Afa Aiono and Simaika Mikaele's score rounded off a convincing win in a more competitive second half.

USA comeback seals Shield

USA beat Scotland in a dramatic fight back 24-21 to take the Shield trophy in Adelaide. Zach Test scored early on for the Eagles but Scotland led 14-7 at the break after tries by Jim Thompson and Roddy Grant. Kevin Swiryn and Test scored after the break to put the Americans ahead but Grant scored again to edge the Scots back in front. Matt Hawkins' late try clinched victory for the USA side.

Adelaide IRB 7s Day 3 Results:
44 05-04-2009 18:20 Kenya 7 - 26 South Africa AUS Final Cup
43 05-04-2009 17:50 Australia 19 - 24 England AUS Final Plate
42 05-04-2009 17:20 Samoa 35 - 14 France AUS Final Bowl
41 05-04-2009 16:50 Scotland 21 - 24 USA AUS Final Shield
40 05-04-2009 16:18 South Africa 21 - 10 Fiji AUS SF Cup
39 05-04-2009 15:56 Argentina 5 - 17 Kenya AUS SF Cup
38 05-04-2009 15:34 New Zealand 14 - 21 England AUS SF Plate
37 05-04-2009 15:12 Australia 38 - 7 Wales AUS SF Plate
36 05-04-2009 14:50 Cook Islands 14 - 35 France AUS SF Bowl
35 05-04-2009 14:28 Samoa 24 - 12 Tonga AUS SF Bowl
34 05-04-2009 14:06 USA 29 - 14 Portugal AUS SF Shield
33 05-04-2009 13:44 Scotland 17 - 14 Japan AUS SF Shield
32 05-04-2009 13:12 Fiji 40 - 0 England AUS 1/4 final Cup
31 05-04-2009 New Zealand 0 - 17 South Africa AUS 1/4 final Cup
30 05-04-2009 12:28 Kenya 33 - 14 Wales AUS 1/4 final Cup
29 05-04-2009 12:06 Australia 5 - 12 Argentina AUS 1/4 final Cup
28 05-04-2009 11:44 France 27 - 12 Portugal AUS 1/4 final Bowl
27 05-04-2009 USA 19 - 31 Cook Islands AUS 1/4 final Bowl
26 05-04-2009 11:00 Japan 19 - 33 Tonga AUS 1/4 final Bowl
25 05-04-2009 10:38 Samoa 27 - 14 Scotland AUS 1/4 final Bowl