A last-minute knock-on cost the Fiji Airways Men’s National 7s side the HSBC SVNS New York 7s and the 2025–2026 World Sevens Series title as they went down 10-7 to South Africa in the final.
The match was filled with excitement as both teams gave their all.
Gino Cupido scored the first try to put the Blitzboks into a 5-0 lead.
South Africa held on to their lead until halftime.
Fiji also made some crucial mistakes, knocking the ball forward in their own territory, giving the South Africans a chance to extend their lead.
However, Fiji’s defence stood tall.
Fiji continued to hunt for their first try and they were rewarded in the 11th minute through a try from Terio Tamani to close the gap to 7-10.
The match went down to the final minutes as Fiji continued their attack, but the ball was lost in the final pass, giving South Africa the final say.
UPDATES
KICK OFF: Fiji
1' Try to South Africa. Gino Cupido FJ 0-5 SA
3' Pressure build-up. A great tackle from Douglas Daveta. FJ 0-5 SA
6' Fiji knocks the ball on at a crucial moment. South Africa gets a scrum. FJ 0-5 SA
HT: FJ 0-5 SA
Second half
Kick-off: South Africa
7' South Africa gets a scrum inside Fiji's 22m. FJ 0-5 SA
8' Try to South Africa. Tristan Leyds. FJ 0-10 SA
11' Try to Fiji. Terio Veilawa. FJ 7-10 SA
13' Fiji lost the ball so close to the tryline. FJ 7-10 SA
