The Fiji Airways Men’s National 7s side went down 24-21 to hosts South Africa in their first pool match of the HSBC SVNS Cape Town 7s.
Shilton van Wyk was the hero for the defending champions, scoring a hat-trick and the winner in the dying seconds of the match.
Fiji started well with tries to Apete Nadrogo and Vuiviawa Naduvalo to lead 14-12 at halftime.
Joseva Talacolo extended Fiji’s lead to 21-12 after scoring in the 10th minute of the second half.
Wyk scored his second try in the 12th minute to keep South Africa’s hopes alive.
South Africa put pressure on Fiji and managed to get a scrum inside Fiji’s territory.
With only a few seconds left before full time, South Africa was awarded a penalty and took an early tap, shifting the ball outside, where Wyk crossed over the line for his third try.
Fiji will now turn their focus to Great Britain at 1.38am tomorrow, before playing New Zealand at 5.19am in their final pool match.
The men’s cup semi-finals will start at 10.22pm, and the final will begin at 2.43am Monday.
In other results, France beat Spain 19-14, Argentina beat Australia 36-0, and New Zealand defeated Great Britain 29-12.
Live UpdatesKick off: Fiji
1' Try to Fiji. Apete Narogo. FJ 7-0 SA
3' Try to South Africa. Christie GrobbelaaR. FJ 7-7 SA
4' Try to Fiji. Vuiviawa Naduvalo. FJ 14-7 SA
5' Try to South Africa. Shilton van Wyk. FJ 14-12 SA
HT: FJ 14-12 SA
Second half: Kick off: South Africa
10' Try to Fiji. Joseva Talacolo. FJ 21-12 SA
12' Try to South Africa. Shilton van Wyk. FJ 21-19 SA
14' Try to South Africa. Shilton van Wyk. FJ 21-24 SA
FT: FJ 21-24 SA
