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South Africa defeat France for Canada Sevens title

Werner Kok (R) celebrates at the final whistle of South Africa's Canada Sevens triumph, March 10, 2019 Rich Lam/Getty Images

Defending World Series champions South Africa won the Canada Sevens for the first time on Sunday in Vancouver, beating France 21-12 to take the trophy.

Impi Visser, Selvyn Davids and Werner Kok each scored tries for South Africa, who climbed to fourth overall in the men's World Rugby Sevens Series standings.

France made a surprise run to the final, their first appearance in the title round since 2012, but came up short despite tries from Pierre Gilles Lakafia and Stephen Parez.

The United States, who led the standings having won the previous tournament in Las Vegas, were routed 33-5 in the semifinals by France. South Africa had advanced to the final by beating Fiji 31-12 in their last four match.

Blitzboks coach Neil Powell was very happy with the outcome of the weekend.

"One could feel the team was getting together and bonding," Powell said after the Blitzboks' first tournament win since June 2018, when they won the Paris Sevens and subsequently the World Series crown.

"It was never about the potential of the players, rather the ability to play for and with each other. All week I could feel the difference.

"I felt that the squad needed some time to combine and mould as a team, and it happened this weekend. The players trusted our system and each other. It is amazing how 13 players, all from different cultures and backgrounds, can combine under one flag and for one jersey."

Powell was equally pleased with the performances on the field.

"It was a tournament where we really showed good defensive discipline, but our attack was equally impressive -- especially against Argentina and Fiji in the playoffs earlier today."

Australia, meanwhile, defeated Canada 35-21 to win the Challenge Trophy.

The Australians brushed aside the disappointment of finishing third in their pool to miss out on progressing to the Cup quarterfinals by winning three matches on Sunday to finish ninth in the sixth leg of the 10-event season.

Simon Kennewell and Dylan Pietsch scored first-half tries for Australia before Canada hit back to trail 14-7 at halftime.

The Aussies put the issue beyond doubt with Henry Hutchison and John Porch scoring tries early in the second half. Canada scored another two tries, either side of Pietsch's second five-pointer, but it was too little to late as the green and gold cruised to victory.

Earlier on Sunday, Australia defeated Kenya 47-7 and Wales 33-22 to advance to the Challenge Trophy final. Australia were relegated from the Cup competition after an unpredictable pool day, with losses to France and New Zealand after a win over Spain.

The U.S. lead the standings with 113 points, ahead of New Zealand and Fiji. South Africa, England and Australia round out the top six.

The top four teams at the end of the season will earn automatic qualification for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.