Fiji experienced a bittersweet defeat in the Cup final at the Perth tournament on Sunday, falling to South Africa with a narrow score of 21–19. This victory crowned the Blitzboks with their second title of the season, underscoring their competitive edge.
Under the leadership of Coach Philip Snyman, the South African Sevens team opened the match decisively, racing to a 14–0 lead within the first four minutes, thanks to tries by Ryan Oosthuizen and Sebastian Jobb. Both scores capitalized on turnovers, demonstrating effective counter-attacking strategies employed by South Africa.
Fiji, known for their resilience, answered back with impressive efforts from Vuiviawa Naduvalo and captain Jerry Matana, which brought the score to 14–12 at halftime. The Fijians increased the pressure on South Africa’s defense, showcasing their determination to turn the game around.
The second half saw a shift in momentum when Terio Veilawa scored, lifting Fiji ahead 19–14. However, the tide turned swiftly as Oosthuizen found the try line again just a minute later, and Ricardo Duarttee converted a challenging sideline kick, securing the match-winner for South Africa.
Both teams performed effectively throughout the match; South Africa converted all three of their tries, while Fiji succeeded in converting two out of three attempts—illustrating the slim margin that ultimately dictated the outcome.
This victory in Perth is particularly significant for the Blitzboks, marking their first Cup final triumph in Australia since 2017 and adding to their previous success in the Cape Town Sevens held in December.
Looking forward, Fiji will focus on regrouping and recovering in anticipation of the upcoming HSBC SVNS Series in Vancouver on March 7–8. The team’s resilience and unwavering spirit will be essential as they aim for success in future tournaments, promising an exciting journey ahead in the sevens circuit.