New Zealand have toppled Commonwealth Games champions South Africa in pool play to advance unbeaten to quarter-finals of the world series sevens event at Los Angeles.
After convincing wins over Canada and USA to kick off their California campaign, the All Blacks Sevens rocketed to an early lead over the Blitz Boks, scoring three unanswered tries to Akuila Rokolisoa, Che Clarke and Lewis Ormond, before their rivals closed to within 17-14 in the dying seconds.
South Africa have been the form team of this year's world circuit, winning the opening four tournaments at Dubai twice, Malaga and Seville, before their victory at Birmingham last month.
The victory saw New Zealand to the top of Pool B and will face Ireland from Pool C on Monday (NZ time), while South Africa fell out of contention altogether, after an earlier loss to the home side.
Samoa have topped their group and face Argentina at the next stage. Fiji emerged unbeaten from Pool C to face USA, while Australia took out the fourth pool and take on Kenya for a spot in the semis.
The All Blacks Sevens opened their account with a 26-5 win over Canada, with Moses Leo, Clarke, Caleb Tangitau and Rokolisoa crossing for five-pointers.
The Kiwis were just as convincing against the Americans, with Tone Ng Shiu, Ormond, Rokolisoa, Tangitau and Ngarohi McGarvey-Black scoring tries, all but one converted by Rokolisoa in a 33-12 victory.
NZ 26 (Leo, Clarke, Tangitau & Rokolisoa tries; Baker 2 conversions, Rokolisoa conversion) Canada 5 (Russell try)
NZ 33 (Ng Shiu, Ormond, Rokolisoa, Tangitau & McGarvey-Black tries; Rokolisoa 4 conversions) USA 12 (Baker try, penalty try)
NZ 17 (Rokolisoa, Clarke & Ormond tries; Rokolisoa conversion) South Africa 14 (Murphy & van Wyk tries; du Preez & Williams conversions)
