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South Africa are out in front, but far from out of sight, as they continue their pursuit of a first HSBC Sevens World Series title in six years when the penultimate leg of this season’s tour takes place in Glasgow this weekend.
Just 12 points separate the top three teams with only the Glasgow and London legs still to play.
South Africa top the standings with 129 points, with Fiji (125) and New Zealand (120) close behind.
We must stick to the basics and continue doing what we did to get to the top
Kwagga Smith
The Blitzboks and the All Blacks Sevens will meet in the pool phase on Saturday when England, fresh from beating South Africa in the final of the Tokyo Sevens, face top four rivals Australia.
This season’s tournament has the added incentive that the top four teams will qualify automatically for the inaugural Olympic Sevens event at next year’s Games in Rio.
Australia are currently fifth, nine points behind England, but 20 clear of the fifth-placed United States.
South Africa have shown impressive consistency this season, finishing in the top three at six of the seven rounds so far to put themselves in sight of a first World Series title since 2009.
“We must stick to the basics and continue doing what we did to get to the top,” said the Blitzboks’ Kwagga Smith.
“We’re not trying to focus on staying number one, but to focus on our own standard and not do anything fancy, this will in turn look after itself.”New Zealand, who surprisingly have only one tournament win to their credit this season, will have Gillies Kaka back in their squad for Glasgow following a hand injury suffered at the USA Sevens in Las Vegas.
“Gillies has a big influence on the way we play and with Beaudein Waaka it gives us huge depth in the crucial position of half back,” said New Zealand coach Gordon Tietjens.
Meanwhile, England captain Tom Mitchell said his side were determined to build on their success in Japan.
“It was a great achievement for the guys after all the hard work they had put in,” said Mitchell.
“But we were back in on the Monday, working even harder and there was a real hunger in our group to move forward.”


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Cecil Afrika, the Blitzboks' all-time leading scorer with 1,017 points including 124 tries, will be one to watch in Glasgow this weekend. Photos: World Rugby

South Africa's Kwagga Smith will "stick to the basics" in the final two tournaments of the 2014-15 World Series.

Sport

Rugby

Excitement builds ahead of Glasgow Sevens


South Africa are out in front, but far from out of sight, as they continue their pursuit of a first Sevens World Series title in six years when the penultimate leg of this season’s tour takes place in Glasgow this weekend.
