12 January, 2026, 9:34 am Central - 26°C Rain

Dubai 7s: Fijiana 7s escape jaws of defeat after a close 21-17 win over South Africa

Dubai 7s: Fijiana 7s escape jaws of defeat after a close 21-17 win over South Africa

By Mosese Raqio
02/12/2023
Source: world rugby

The Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s side escaped the jaws of defeat after beating South Africa 21-17 in their second pool match of the Dubai 7s.

Fiji's Reapi Uluinasau scored the winning try in the dying minutes of the game with a conversion from Ana Maria Naimasi to break the hearts of the South Africans.

Fiji started well scoring two quick converted tries in the 1st and 2nd minutes of the game for an early 14-0 lead.

South Africa hit back to score two tries through Maria Tshiremba in the 6th and 8th minute with one conversion to trail 14-12.

Fiji led 14-12 at halftime.

It was a tight second half as South Africa took the lead for the first time in the game after Simamkele Namba scored another unconverted try in the 10th minute for a 17-14 lead.

Uluinasau grabbed the winning try in the 13th minute.

Fiji will play New Zealand at 1.35am tomorrow in their final pool match.

The Women's Cup quarter finals will kick off at 5.30pm tomorrow, the semi finals will be at 9.20pm tomorrow and the final will be at 3.13am Monday.

Meanwhile, the Fiji Airways Men's National 7s side will take on France at 9.52pm in their second match tonight before playing Great Britain at 3.50am tomorrow in their final match.

The Men's cup quarter finals will begin at 6.58pm tomorrow, the cup semi finals will kick off at 10.04pm tomorrow and the final will be at 3.53am Monday.

Stay with us for updates.

FNRL
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