The All Blacks sevens fell short of a fifth straight gold at the Commonwealth Games after losing a tense final 17-12 to South Africa in Glasgow this morning.
It is the first time New Zealand has been beaten at the Commonwealth Games.
Sherwin Stowers opened the scoring in the fourth minute following a swift assist from DJ Forbes. A Giles Kaka conversion made it 7-0.
A yellow card for Bryce Heem late in the first half gave South Africa, who lost captain Kyle Brown to injury in the second minute, a chance to hit back. They made the most of the one-man advantage to tie the game up through Seabelo Senatla just before the break.
Senatla then put South Africa in front 12-7 with his second straight after halftime. Cecil Afrika then capped off the win for South Africa with a breakaway sprint down the lefthand touchline with four minutes remaining.
Joe Webber kept New Zealand in the game with a try two minutes from time to make it 17-12.
South Africa playing in their first Commonwealth final, finished second in the IRB sevens series behind New Zealand.
Australia beat Samoa 24-0 in the bronze medal match.