Australia, Fiji, and USA all achieved perfect records, to top their pools on day one of the HSBC Cape Town Sevens, after an action-packed day of rugby at the Cape Town Stadium.

Coming into the tournament New Zealand lead the overall standings ahead of USA, England and Australia.

This year’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series has added incentive as teams not only compete for the coveted world series title, but also their ticket to Tokyo 2020 with the series acting as principle route for Olympic qualification for the top four placed teams.

The USA dominated in an easy pool, crushing Japan 54-0 to open the Eagles' account. Stephen Tomasin scored two tries and six tries for 22 points. 

Good day 1 at the Capetown office for the ?? #Dawgs and super proud of my young pups Lucas amd Harrison who both had great seasons and fun with their @TrinitySchRugby mates Congrats on the season ...and it’s 7’s next term ??? pic.twitter.com/grR46ohSoE

— Mike Friday (@MikeFriday09) December 8, 2018

Next up was Spain, who had surprised everyone by dismantling Argentina in the opening round. The Eagles had a little trouble with the upstart Lions. Kevon Williams sliced through to score in the opening two minutes. Spain replied with an interception for a try and another score to take a 12-7 lead. But Perry Baker blew through for a break, was dragged down, but had Tomasin in support. Mr Versatile was instrumental once more, scoring a second later in the match. 

They needed that one (and one from Barrett) as Spain scored again early in the second half and led 17-14. The final five minutes belonged to the USA, though. Maceo Brown got his first World Series try with time expired, and the Eagles won 38-17.

In the final game of the day, the USA fell behind 14-7 to Argentina with Danny Barrett in the sin bin. But a superb second half sparked by a try from Madison Hughes and with Matai Leuta tiptoeing down the sidelines, the USA pulled away 31-14.

It was an excellent showing in a relatively easy pool, but Day Two will be much harder.

In other action, New Zealand needed two tries in the final few seconds to beat South Africa and squeak into the Cup Quarterfinals. Australia won all three games, but had to work for all three. Fiji just barely escaped losing to England.

Day Two will see South Africa play Scotland in the opening Cup quarter-finals game, followed by Fiji who will take on Spain. Australia will face last year's HSBC Cape Town Sevens champions New Zealand and USA will play England.