Because of this, they (that is, New Zealand) won the title of champion of the 2012 South Africa Sevens.

Points were awarded in each pool on a different schedule from most rugby tournaments—3 for a win, 2 for a draw, 1 for a loss.

The top two teams in each pool advanced to the Cup competition.

The four quarterfinal losers dropped into the bracket for the Plate.

The Bowl was contested by the third- and fourth-place finishers in each pool, with the losers in the Bowl quarterfinals dropping into the bracket for the Shield.