South Africa overcame England in a dramatic final to win the Dubai Sevens 19-12 to get their Sevens World Series campaign off to the perfect start on Saturday.

South Africa will now head to home territory at George next week where they will attempt to win their home event for the first time.

They hold an early four-point lead over England in the World Series, with New Zealand and Fiji a further four behind, having lost their respective semi-finals.

Samoa won the plate, Portugal the bowl and the United States the shield.

Australia suffered a heartbreaking 17-14 loss to the Samoans in a plate semi-final.

The new-look Australian side, almost exclusively untried in the sevens arena, took the well-credentialled islanders to the brink before Samoa held their nerve for the three-point triumph.

• South Africa clinch Dubai Sevens
• South Africa clinch Dubai Sevens
• O'Connor confident in baby Sevens squad
• O'Connor confident in baby Sevens squad
• South Africa take home sevens title
• Australia reach Sevens quarters
• Australia reach Sevens quarters
• Australia draw NZ in women's World Cup
• Kenya's Keino backs rugby in Olympics
• Kenya's Keino backs rugby in Olympics
• Victorious return for women's rugby team
• Victorious return for women's rugby team
• South Africa take home sevens title
• South Africa celebrate Sevens success
• South Africa celebrate Sevens success
• England down NZ in London Sevens final
• England down NZ in London Sevens final
• Fiji win Scottish Sevens
• Fiji win Scottish Sevens
• Aussies through to quarters despite loss
• NZ wins South Africa Sevens
• NZ wins South Africa Sevens
• Stunning debut for Sills in NZ Dubai win
• Argentina win IRB Sevens final
• Argentina win IRB Sevens final
• Australia lose to Samoa in semis
• Springboks stun NZ to win Rugby Sevens
• Aussies, Kiwis power on in Sevens
• Aussies, Kiwis power on in Sevens
• Rugby World Cup winner in Games squad

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