The Fiji Airways men’s sevens team faced a narrow defeat in an exhilarating Cup final against South Africa, losing 21–19 at the Perth Sevens. The match, held at HBF Park, showcased the intensity and skill of both teams, with Fiji matching South Africa’s pace in a thrilling first half that concluded with a score of 14–12 in favor of the South Africans.
Fiji made an impressive start with Viwa Naduvalo scoring the first try, followed by quick contributions from Captain Jeremaia Matana and Terio Veilawa. Their efforts kept Fiji firmly in contention as both teams exchanged leads in a fiercely competitive match.
South Africa capitalized on their scoring opportunities, with Ryan Oosthuizen making a significant impact by scoring two tries, while Sebastiaan Jobb added another. Ricardo Duarttee’s successful conversions were crucial, ultimately contributing to the team’s slim victory.
As the match drew to a close, Fiji pressed hard for a comeback, remaining within reach of their opponents. However, South Africa managed to maintain their lead, securing the Cup with a mere two-point advantage.
Despite this close loss, Fiji’s overall performance throughout the Perth tournament was commendable, highlighting their resilience and consistency on the HSBC Sevens World Series circuit. Fans and supporters can take pride in the team’s strong showing and look forward to their future performances.