Fiji faced a heartbreaking defeat in the Cup final at the Perth tournament on Sunday, succumbing to South Africa with a close score of 21–19. This victory marked the Blitzboks’ second title of the season, showcasing their strength in the competition.
Under the guidance of Coach Philip Snyman, the South African Sevens team quickly established dominance, jumping to a 14–0 lead within the first four minutes thanks to tries from Ryan Oosthuizen and Sebastian Jobb. Both scores resulted from turnovers and effective counter-attacking strategies.
However, Fiji showcased their famed resilience, with tries from Vuiviawa Naduvalo and captain Jerry Matana narrowing the deficit to 14–12 at halftime. South Africa’s defense found itself under significant pressure as the Fijians rallied.
The momentum shifted shortly after halftime when Terio Veilawa crossed the line, putting Fiji ahead 19–14. Yet, the match took a crucial turn just a minute later when Oosthuizen scored again, and Ricardo Duarttee successfully converted a challenging sideline kick, ultimately proving to be the match-winner.
Both teams executed well; South Africa converted all three of their tries, while Fiji managed two conversions from three attempts—a narrow difference that influenced the final result.
The victory in Perth was significant for the Blitzboks, as it marked their first Cup final win in Australia since 2017, adding to their earlier success in the Cape Town Sevens held in December.
Looking ahead, Fiji will aim to recover and regroup as they prepare for the upcoming HSBC SVNS Series, set to take place in Vancouver on March 7–8. The team’s determination and ability to bounce back will be critical as they strive for success in future tournaments.