Rookie Rere scores winning try for Fiji in 14-12 win over South Africa, sets up semi final clash against Australia

Rookie outside back Ropate Rere scored the winning try for the Fiji Airways Fiji Men’s 7s side to help them beat South Africa 14-12 in their quarter final match tonight and book a semi final showdown against hosts Australia tomorrow.

South Africa drew first blood with an unconverted try in the corner through Ryan Oosthuizen in the 4th minute.

The game went into halftime with South Africa holding a 5-0 lead.

Fiji doing Fiji things 👏#HSBCSVNS | #HSBCSVNSPER | @fijirugby https://t.co/6FMF5avhBH pic.twitter.com/aCs7npDRVb

— HSBC SVNS (@SVNSSeries) January 27, 2024

Fiji started the second spell strongly with star playmaker Terio Veilawa scoring a converted try straight from kickoff to give Fiji a 7-5 lead.

South Africa regained the lead with a converted try in the 10th minute before Veilawa set Rere up for the match-winning converted try in the 12th minute.

South Africa had a chance to steal the win but Fiji put up a great defence and turned the ball over after the full-time hooter had sounded which they then ran the ball out to claim the win.

Fiji will take on Australia in the second semi final at 5.34pm tomorrow.

In other quarter finals tonight, Ireland beat France 21-14, Argentina beat Spain 28-17 and Australia beat the USA 31-7.

Meanwhile, the Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s will take on Canada at 6.15pm tomorrow in the 9th place semi final.

Stay with us for updates.

Match Updates:

0' Fiji kicks off first half. FIJ 0-0 RSA

4' Ryan Ooosthuizen draws first blood for South Africa with an unconverted try in the corner. FIJ 0-5 RSA.

7' Fiji misses a chance to score a try at the stroke of half time after knocking the ball on inside South Africa's territory. FIJ 0-5 RSA.

HT: Fiji 0-5 SOUTH AFRICA

8' Terio Veilawa scores Fiji's first try in the second spell. Conversion successful. FIJ 7-5 RSA.

10' South Africa regains the lead with a converted try. FIJ 7-12 RSA.

12' Ropate Rere scores a converted try to give Fiji the lead again. FIJ 14-12 RSA.

14' Fiji turns the ball over and runs it out to win the game. FIJ 14-12 RSA.

Full time