The Blitzboks finished second in the IRB World Series after claiming a 38-14 victory over Kenya in the Plate final of the London Sevens on Sunday.

Having lost 32-5 to New Zealand in the Cup quarter-finals, Neil Powell's team found themselves 17-0 down at half-time in their Plate semi-final clash with Samoa. What followed was a sensational second-half performance, with a Seabelo Senatla hat-trick inspiring them to a 24-17 victory and giving them a place in the final against Kenya.

The Kenyans got the better of them in Glasgow, but it would be the Blitzboks who would exact revenge and close out the season on a high. Seabelo Senatla would go on to grab his second hat-trick of the day, and third of the tournament, in a 38-14 victory.

'We set high standards for ourselves and the players wanted to show they can play much better,' said Powell. 'We showed good fighting spirit against Samoa after a poor first half. Against Kenya we controlled the match from the start and scored a deserved win.'

It was left to New Zealand to close things out for the season and they didn't disappoint, fighting back from 21-0 down to claim the title with a 52-33 win against Australia in the Cup final.

Final standings (Top 5):

New Zealand 158
South Africa 139
Fiji 129
England 117
Austalia 97

Photo: Ben Hoskins/Getty Images