PERTH, Australia – South Africa claimed the HSBC SVNS Perth 7s title on , defeating a resilient Fiji side 21-19 in a thrilling final. Despite the loss, Fiji maintains the top spot in the series standings with 70 points.
The Blitzboks came out of the gates strong, capitalizing on early opportunities to build a 14-0 lead. Ryan Oosthuizen opened the scoring with a try in the first minute, quickly followed by Sebastiaan Jobb adding another converted score. The early pressure seemed to momentarily stun the Fijian side, known for their explosive attacking play.
However, Fiji, demonstrating the fighting spirit that has become their hallmark, began to claw their way back into the contest. Vuiviawa Naduvalo, showcasing his blistering pace and skillful footwork, sliced through the South African defense to reduce the deficit to 5-14. Captain Jerry Matana then added another try for Fiji, narrowing the gap to just two points at halftime, 12-14.
The second half saw a surge from the Fijians. Terio Veilawa, with a powerful fend and determined run, crossed the try line, giving Fiji the lead for the first time in the match, 19-14. The momentum had clearly shifted, and the crowd at HBF Park roared with anticipation as Fiji looked to close out the game.
But South Africa refused to yield. Oosthuizen, proving to be a pivotal player in the final, scored his second try of the match, expertly finishing in the corner. Ricardo Duarttee then delivered a clutch conversion from a difficult angle, reclaiming the lead for the Blitzboks, 21-19. “I’m not the fastest guy so sometimes I need to run over people,” Oosthuizen said after the match, highlighting his physical approach to the game.
The final minutes were a tense affair, characterized by desperate defense from both sides. Fiji launched wave after wave of attacks, probing for weaknesses in the South African line. Nacani Boginisoko made a crucial try-saving tackle, denying Donovan Don a potential score, while Luan Giliomee mirrored the defensive effort with a key stop on Boginisoko at the halfway line.
a late penalty against Fiji sealed their fate, allowing South Africa to secure the victory. It marks South Africa’s first Australian title since 2017, ending a nine-year drought in the country.
The win propels South Africa to second place in the HSBC SVNS series standings with 66 points, trailing only Fiji. New Zealand currently sits in third with 62 points, demonstrating the competitive intensity of the series.
Fiji’s strong performance throughout the Perth tournament, including a dominant run through the pool stages and a convincing semifinal victory, underscores their consistency as a top contender. Their ability to rally from deficits, as demonstrated against France in the Singapore final and against South Africa in pool play on Saturday, remains a key strength.
The Perth 7s final was a testament to the physicality and skill inherent in the sevens game. South Africa’s ability to capitalize on Fijian errors and execute under pressure proved to be the difference. The narrow margin of victory – just two points – highlights the fiercely contested nature of the HSBC SVNS series and sets the stage for an exciting continuation of the season.
The tournament also saw New Zealand’s women’s team continue their dominance, defeating Australia 29-7 to win their third leg of four in the series, ending Australia’s impressive 10-match home win streak. The heat, reaching 31 degrees Celsius, added another layer of challenge for both teams in the women’s final.
Fiji will look to rebound from this narrow defeat as the HSBC SVNS series continues, aiming to maintain their position at the top of the standings and build towards a championship title. South Africa, buoyed by their Perth victory, will undoubtedly carry momentum into the next tournament, eager to close the gap on Fiji and challenge for the overall series crown.
