South Africa’s men sevens held off a spirited Fiji in the final of the HSBC SVNS New York on Sunday, with their 10-7 victory not only bagging them a fourth tournament title in the season, but also the crown as 2026 series champions.
South Africa and Fiji entered the final level on log points and tries on each side of the break handed the South Africans a 10-0 lead, setting them up for the series title. Although the South Sea Islanders pulled one back later in the half, brilliant defence in their own half from the South Africans held sway in the end.
It was drama until the very end though as Fiji attacked in the final 30 seconds, but a knock-on with the tryline open handed possession back. From the resulting scrum, Fiji conceded a penalty and much to the relief of all in green and gold, the ball was kicked into touch.
The opening try of the final came from a defensive turnover. Impi Visser ripped a ball from a tackle and some crisp passing later, Gino Cupido raced in after two minutes in what was the only score of the first half.
The second half was as tight as the first with razor thin margins determining the outcome. Tristan Leyds scored two minutes after the break after Fiji lost the ball in a tackle close to their line and suddenly South Africa were two scores clear with five minutes to play.
But the Fijians are not known as comeback kings for no reason and when Terio Veilawa scored and converted shortly after, it was a one score game. That score never game though, mainly through gutsy Blitzbok defence forcing their opponents into errors, while sound game management also kept Fiji at bay.
South Africa, who also won in Cape Town, Perth and Vancouver, proved they are the best sevens team in the HSBC SVNS Series.
Earlier on Sunday, they booked their ticket to the final with a hard-fought semi-final victory over Argentina, scoring two first half tries and then defending like Trojans to win 14-5.
Sebastiaan Jobb opened the scoring in the second minute after turning defence into attack in the blink of an eye. Argentina attacked hard, but there was no way through the SA defence, forcing them into a stray pass.
The turnover involved Visser and Leyds and once Jobb got the ball, there was only one outcome. Leyds converted and it was 7-0 to the Blitzboks.
A 70m run by Selvyn Davids secured the next try and a 14-0 lead at the break, but Argentina scored the opening try of the second half when Marcos Moneta finished off in the corner two minutes after the restart to make it 14-5.