THE Fiji Airways Fiji men’s sevens team have settled for bronze in Cape Town after beating France 26-19 in a thrilling third and fourth place playoff.
France drew first blood via a converted try from Andy Timo after a mistake from Fiji just outside their tryline, but Fiji replied straight away after some dazzling footwork from Teri Veilawa.
Speedester Naduvalo extended Fiji’s lead 14-7 but France Liam Delamare got one back for France just before halftime locking the two teams 14 all at half time.
Fiji came our firing in the second half two consecutive tries from Sevuloni Mocenacagi and Manueli Maisamoa gave Fiji a comfortable 26-14 lead.
France’s closed off the match strongly with a try to Simon Desert, but it was not enough to overcome Fiji’s lead.
Meanwhile South Africa has successfully defended it’s Cape Town title beating Argentina 21-19 in a thrilling and tightly contested final.
At halftime Argentina was leading the hosts 14-7, Argentina struck immediately after the kick-off to extending their lead to 19-7.
But South Africa fought back reducing the deficit 19-14 with a try to debutant Nabo Soyoki.
Just when it looked like all hopes were lost for South Africa, a crucial turnover in the dying minutes resulted in a Tristan Leyds try, with a successful conversion the Blitz Boks created history as the first back-to-back winners of the Cape Town leg.
South Africa’s successful title defence see’s them led the HSBC SVNS series after the opening leg with 32 points.
Fiji’s second consecutive bronze finish puts them in second place on the series with New Zealand in third place.
