Australia will have to overcome Commonwealth Games rugby sevens champions South Africa to get their Olympic qualifying campaign off to a winning start.

The Thunderbolts had to settle for second place in their pool at the Gold Coast Sevens after being beaten 35-12 by Fiji in their final match on Saturday.

The tournament is the first of a nine-stop international series where the top four-ranked nations will secure an automatic spot at the 2016 Rio Games.

Australia had begun their tournament well, defeating both Portugal and Scotland, but had no answer to the rampant Fijians who raced to an unassailable 35-0 lead early in the second half.

The hosts replied with two late tries through youngster Cameron Clark but the defeat means they must overcome the world No.2 South Africans to stay in the tournament.

The Springboks won all three of their pool matches, scoring 18 tries and conceding just two.

Australia coach Geraint John admitted the world No.2 would be a tough opponent and said his side would need to show increased composure if they are to stay alive in the tournament.

“We’ve got to do what we do well, not try and think too much of the opposition,” John said.

“We’ve got to be confident in the way we play, what we can do. We’ve got to make sure we turn up tomorrow and really in that contact area control that ball a lot better than what we did.”

Fiji’s three wins means they’ll take on Wales in the last eight, with a likely semi-final against traditional rivals New Zealand looming if the All Black Sevens can defeat England.

The winner of Australia and South Africa’s clash will meet surprise packet Argentina or Samoa in the semis.

Sunday’s action kicks off at 9.20am AEST with the bowl quarter-finals for those who finished third and fourth in the pools.

The main tournament quarter-finals begin with New Zealand against England at 10.48am AEST while Australia will take to the field just before midday AEST.