Fiji's Rugby Sevens team secured a commendable third-place finish in the Cape Town leg of the 2025/2026 HSBC SVNS Series, but the journey was filled with ups and downs. This performance showcased their resilience and determination on the field.
The Fijian men's team clinched third place by defeating France with a score of 26-19 on Monday morning. Interestingly, this marks the second consecutive week that Fiji has triumphed over France, mirroring their success in Dubai the previous weekend.
In the women's division, Australia emerged victorious, claiming the title after a hard-fought final against New Zealand. Meanwhile, South Africa maintained their dominance in the men's competition, retaining the title they secured last year.
Fijian head coach Osea Kolinisau expressed mixed feelings about the result, acknowledging that while it wasn't their ultimate goal, they were content with the outcome. He emphasized the valuable lessons learned, stating, "Obviously a lot of learning for us moving forward. We will go back and work on what we have learned."
The match between Fiji and France was a thrilling encounter. The teams were deadlocked at 14-all at halftime, each having scored two tries within the first seven minutes. Terio Veilawa and Viwa Naduvalo scored for Fiji, while Andy Timo and Liam Delamare found the try line for France.
But here's where it gets controversial... Veteran Sevuloni Mocenacagi broke the tie with a try, followed by Manueli Maisamoa's impressive run, extending Fiji's lead to 26-14. France attempted a comeback with a late try by Simon Desert, but it was too little, too late.
In the women's competition, France secured third place, edging out USA with a score of 15-12. The final between Australia and New Zealand was a highlight, with Australia winning 26-12. Australia dominated the first half, leading 19-0 with tries from Heidi Dennis, Teagan Levi, and Isabella Nasser. This victory was particularly sweet for the Australians, who had lost to the Kiwis in the Dubai final.
The men's competition saw South Africa triumph over Argentina with a final score of 21-19. Argentina led 14-7 at halftime, but South Africa's Christie Grobbelaar scored the decisive try.
And this is the part most people miss... The Fijiana women's sevens team finished seventh, following a dominant 43-7 win against Great Britain. Reapi Uluinasau scored a hat-trick, with additional tries from Sera Bolatini, Atelaite Ralivanawa, Silika Qalo, and Lavena Cavuru. The Fijiana team is currently sixth in the points standings, with a strong chance of maintaining a top-six position in the HSBC Sevens Series.
Argentina eliminated Fiji from the top prize contention in the semi-finals, winning 29-21. Viwa Naduvalo's double and Manueli Maisamoa's try weren't enough to overcome Argentina's strong performance. South Africa defeated France 22-17 in their semi-final match.
What do you think about Fiji's performance? Do you believe they could have achieved more? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
