The New Zealand team had beaten hosts South Africa on the opening day of competition at the Cape Town Stadium.

The second day began with New Zealand earning a narrow 12-10 win over Fiji, before a 12-0 triumph over Russia ensured they finished as Group A winners.

Fiji were runners-up after they recorded a 27-5 victory over South Africa, with the result guaranteeing Russia a third-place finish.

Pool C saw Australia advance with a 100 per cent record, after they came through their toughest match with a 19-14 triumph against the United States.

The US team progressed as runners-up, while England secured a dominant 36-7 win over Ireland to finish third.

It proved a key victory as England and Russia progressed to the quarter-finals, as the best two third-place finishers.

France topped the standings in Pool B thanks to a 45-0 win over Brazil, before edging Canada 14-12 in a battle for the top two sides.

Spain placed third in the standings, but their worse points difference than England and Russia saw them miss out on the last eight.

France will feature in the first quarter-final match tomorrow when they face Russia, while New Zealand take on England.

Australia and Fiji will also go head-to-head in the quarter-finals, before a North American clash between the US and Canada.

The full knockout stage of the competition is tomorrow.