The Fiji Airways Men’s 7s team is set to compete in their fourth consecutive semifinal of the 2025/2026 HSBC Sevens World Series following a thrilling 20-14 victory over South Africa at the Perth Sevens. This win sees Fiji topping Pool A and securing a spot in the first Cup semifinal scheduled for 4:57 PM tomorrow.
Fiji showcased remarkable resilience, staging comebacks in all three of their matches in Perth thus far. Their last triumph came just a week prior in Singapore, where they clinched a victory with a golden point.
In the match against South Africa, debutant Nacani Boginisoko shone brightly, exhibiting impressive line breaks, while Vuiviawa Naduvalo contributed significantly by scoring two tries. Zane Davids opened the scoring for South Africa in the third minute before Fiji’s Douglas Daveta unfortunately lost a promising opportunity to capitalize on a Boginisoko break.
In a twist of fate, Daveta was later sent off for a deliberate knock-on as South Africa scored their second try. However, the game took a turn when the Blitzboks found themselves down to six players after Davids received a yellow card for misconduct, allowing Boginisoko to dart in for a crucial try.
Despite trailing 5-14 at halftime, Fiji made a powerful comeback, with Naduvalo scoring shortly after the break. Boginisoko then assisted Naduvalo for another try before Iowane Teba added to the score just seconds after South Africa received another yellow card.
Earlier in the tournament, the Osea Kolinisau-coached squad began strongly, defeating Argentina 26-10 in their opening match, followed by a narrow win against Spain with a score of 26-24 in their second group game.
Fiji’s continued performance highlights their competitive spirit and agility, making them a formidable contender as they move forward in the tournament. Fans eagerly await the semifinal match, hoping for another thrilling showcase from the Fijian side as they aim for success on the global stage.