The Blitzboks failed to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Hong Kong Sevens after losing their final pool match to New Zealand on Saturday.

Having beaten Uruguay 40-7 before losing 26-7 to Australia on Friday, the South Africans needed at least a narrow defeat to sneak into the playoffs.

But a 17-7 loss to their arch-rivals saw them finish third in their pool, before they bounced back by beating Uruguay 33-7.

Gino Cupido, who scored on debut on Friday, got a double this time against the Uruguayans, while Impi Visser and Shilton van Wyk closed out long-range efforts. The Blitzboks will now contest the ninth-place decider against Kenya on Sunday (6am).

The Blitzboks, looking to win the Hong Kong Sevens title for the first time in 30 attempts, were unable to capitalise on a couple of attacking opportunities in the first five minutes against the New Zealanders, who counter-rucked well to win a penalty when under big pressure.

The Kiwis then took charge when Cody Vai bounced off a defender to score in the left-hand corner and Dylan Collier went over for a converted try to make it 12-0 at the break.

New Zealand extended their lead to 17 points three minutes into the second half when Amanaki Nicole handed off Ricardo Duarttee on his way to the tryline,

Donavan Don finally got the Blitzboks on the board in the final play of the game, but it was too little, too late.

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