South Africa 7s rebound in London after Toulouse failure

LONDON (AP) — South Africa lost its season-long lead of the rugby sevens world series for the first time last weekend. It could get the lead back on Sunday.

South Africa’s failure to reach a tournament quarterfinal for the first time in nine years last weekend in France helped it to be overtaken in the standings by Argentina.

But on Saturday, Argentina lost to South Africa 26-19 in their opening pool match of the London Sevens at Twickenham.

Argentina fought back from 19-7 down to tie the score on 19, but Angelo Davids won it for South Africa with a kick-chase from outside his own 22 finishing between the posts.

South Africa was unbeaten in its pool including Ireland and Kenya, and in the quarterfinals on Sunday will face Australia, which was third in the standings.

Also, two-time defending London champion Fiji has host England, New Zealand plays Ireland, and Samoa meets Spain.

Argentina failed to reach the quarterfinals for the first time this season when it lost to Ireland 22-21; Terry Kennedy’s hat-trick try earned the comeback win.

Australia lost a back-and-forth opener to New Zealand 24-19 but clinched a quarterfinal spot by beating France 28-19 after a 21-0 start.

France, a semifinalist last weekend, didn’t advance after being drubbed by New Zealand 36-7.

Fiji, on a streak of three straight finals, came through its pool unbeaten against Spain, the United States and Wales.

Spain finished strong to down the U.S. 26-10 and advance to its first quarterfinals of the season.

The Spaniards will face Samoa, which saw off Japan and Scotland, and against England came from 19-7 down with three tries in three minutes to win 26-19.

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