Australia and Samoa to fight for last automatic Paris 2024 berth at 2023 London Sevens
Having booked their spot in the French capital, double Olympic gold medallists Fiji made it through to Sunday's quarter-finals at Twickenham with series winners New Zealand in ominous form.
Rugby Sevens
Australia are in pole position to claim the last remaining automatic spot for Paris 2024 in the final round of the 2023 World Sevens Series at Twickenham.
Despite going down 24-14 to closest rivals Samoa in their Pool B clash at the London Sevens on Saturday (20 May), both teams made it through to Sunday's Cup quarter-finals.
Fifth place or better would see the Aussies clinch that vital fifth spot in the standings with Samoa needing to win the event.
South Africa started the day with an outside chance of clinching a Paris berth, but a 19-15 defeat to Great Britain in their Pool A opener meant the odds were even more stacked against them.
The Blitzbokke were then held to a 26-26 draw by USA leaving them requiring a win over series winners New Zealand to make the quarter-finals.
And the All Blacks Sevens were in no mood to be generous, running out 32-21 victors to end South Africa's automatic qualification hopes.
Two-time reigning Olympic men's rugby sevens champions Fiji celebrated booking their ticket to Paris in style.
Having needed only to turn up at Twickenham to secure the one point they needed to secure a top-five finish in the overall standings, Fiji cruised to victory in their opener against Ireland.
You have to go back to 2010-11 for the last campaign where the Pacific Islanders failed to score a tournament victory, but they showed they mean business in South West London with a 33-12 triumph.
Tries from Joseva Talacolo, Filipe Sauturugala, and Waisea Nacuqu put Fiji into a 19-0 lead with the third a lightning quick effort right at the start of the second half.
The teams scored two tries apiece after that as Fiji made a confident start to their London title bid, but they were then thrashed 40-12 by Argentina who secured second spot in the overall standings.
The Pumas then went down 14-12 to Ireland, but all three teams made it through to Sunday's quarter-finals.
And as the best third-placed team, Ireland's reward is a swift rematch with Argentina.
Great Britain defeated USA 21-19 late on Saturday to set up a quarter-final with Samoa. Victory for the hosts would hand Australia a spot at Paris 2024.
France completed the quarter-final line-up despite suffering two defeats in Pool C. Les Bleus obtained bonus points in a win over Spain and a 28-21 defeat to Samoa.
2023 London Sevens quarter-final fixtures
Argentina v Ireland
Samoa v Great Britain
Fiji v Australia
New Zealand v France