Australia’s Nick Malouf has scored after the siren to earn his country a quarter-final berth in a thrilling finish to day two of the Sydney Sevens at a heaving Spotless Stadium.
Needing to win by six points or more, Australia led 17-0 but then conceded 21 straight points to all but dash their hopes.
Australia rallied though, scoring to lead by three before Malouf ran 60m to score the decisive try for a 29-21 win and set up a likely final-eight clash with series leaders Fiji on Sunday.
The opportunity to extend their lead only came about because South Africa, who finished top of the pool regardless, decided to run the ball after the siren in an attempt to win the game.
Australia managed to turn possession over, before Malouf skipped through several would-be tacklers and staggered to the line.
The result left South Africa, Australia and Argentina on equal points, with the hosts surviving thanks to their slim three-point differential advantage over the South Americans.
The win ironically erased memories of a flat first-up defeat to Argentina that looked to have scuppered their title defence.
Australia were sloppy in the second half in a 29-14 loss to put the hosts behind the eight ball, before a 32-0 defeat of Tonga breathed life into their campaign.
Australia’s women’s outfit had earlier done their best to inspire the men with a much-improved 21-17 defeat of France in their Saturday quarter-final.
They will meet first-time semi-finalists Ireland on Sunday morning, while a likely date with New Zealand awaits in the decider.