Blitzboks coach Neil Powell says the team was pleased to get a medal at the Sevens World Cup in San Fransisco, but not with the colour.

South Africa had to settle for bronze after beating Fiji 24-19 in the third-place playoff, having suffered a 29-7 defeat to England in the semi-finals.

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‘What is most pleasing for me is the fact that, after that disappointment against England, we came out firing against Fiji and outplayed them to finish the season on a very strong performance,’ said Powell.

‘We have lost against them six times during the World Series, so to be able to beat them here was a huge effort from the players. We will never be happy with anything but first place, but the bronze medal does help to justify the efforts and sacrifices a little bit.’

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Powell congratulated New Zealand on winning the World Cup Sevens.

‘They clearly know how to pitch for once-off tournaments, as they also won the Commonwealth Games gold, so well done to them. It was a great effort from them.’

The Blitzboks arrive back in South Africa on Wednesday.

Photo: Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images