New Zealand confirmed their status as Sevens World champions with a resounding 45-7 win over South Africa to claim their third consecutive Emirates Air Dubai Sevens title on Saturday.

The All Blacks, who have won the only two IRB World Series Circuits so far, were miles superior to a gutsy Springbok side who tried their hearts out in front of a partisan crowd here in the desert.

Yet while the Boks were outclassed, they were not disgraced and were given a big cheer as young Jean de Villiers finally broke through to score their only try.

The Boks were set back by the fact that they lost two of their players before the tournament after Helgard Brink and captain Paul Treu both were forced out due to rib injuries. A third player, the Lions' Jorrie Mulder, played with a sprained ankle, after being given painkillers before the game.

"I'm obviously disappointed at the result," coach Chester Williams (pictured) said. "We looked nervous and did some strange things at times. But the All Blacks are a very experienced side who have played in many finals before, while six of our seven players were playing in their first final."

Still, Williams did not believe that the final score reflected the dominance of the Kiwi side, who were never challenged throughout the tournament, in the final.

"We are not 38 points worse than they are and considering our injuries and the fact that Fabian Juries played out of position and out of space, contributed a lot to the defeat. We also lost Paul Treu, our captain, who settles the side.

"We got kicked and punched, but the guys learnt a lot in terms of professionalism."

Juries, who was the main attacking weapon, was forced into a more confined role as he moved to Treu's scrumhalf and sweeper position, and wasn't as effective as he could have been.

The Kiwis, however, never even raised a sweat as they swept aside the Boks and look the favourites ahead of next weekend's first round of the IRB circuit in Durban.

Wales took the Bowl competition against Portugal 41-0 while Scotland beat Russia for the Plate 29-7.

Scorers
New Zealand - tries: Justin Wilson (2), Karl Te Nana, Amasio Valence, Eric Rush (2), Orene Ai'i Conversions: Orene Ai' I (4), Valence (1)

South Africa - tries: Jean de Villiers. Conversion: Jorrie Mulder