South Africa charged into the cup quarterfinals at the World Sevens Series leg in Wellington, New Zealand, after going unbeaten in the pool stages on Friday.

The Blitzboks got off to a flawless start, with a 21-0 victory over the United States and a 43-0 thumping of Cook Islands.

Against their strongest challenger in Pool B, the South Africans hit back in the second half to secure a 14-10 win over England.

Trailing 5-0 at half-time, Mark Richards dotted down a minute after the break and Branco du Preez converted to give the Blitzboks the lead.

Du Preez crossed the line midway through the second period, and converted his own try, to extend the gap.

Greg Barden scored in the dying stages, but a second missed conversion saw England settle for second place in the group.

South Africa, lying third in the series standings after the first three legs, face log leaders Fiji in the cup quarterfinals on Saturday.