The Springbok Sevens team were edged out by Fiji 26-24 in a thrilling final at the Hong Kong Sevens, but had the consolation of moving 16 points clear at the top of the IRB series standings.
South Africa came back from a 19-0 deficit in the first five minutes to score their fourth try on the stroke of full-time and leave a touchline conversion to level the scores and force the final into extra time.
Mzwandile Stick — one of the coolest drop-goal kickers on the circuit — took the conversion but his attempt drifted across the front of the posts.
South Africa took 24 points for finishing as runners-up to move to 84 points on the IRB Series standings and open up a handy lead with three tournaments remaining. England, who started the tournament tied in first place with South Africa, are in second place on 68 points having been knocked out at the quarterfinal stage along with fourth-placed New Zealand. Fiji moved into third place courtesy of the 30 points for winning the tournament.
South Africa were hit by three quick tries from Fiji, whose power and weight advantage proved decisive.
However, the Springboks’ response was impressive as good ball retention allowed Renfred Dazel and Robert Ebershohn to close the gap to five points at the interval with slick tries — the second after the half-time siren had sounded.
Fiji’s fourth try from Seremaia Buvotu at the start of the second half gave Fiji a crucial edge but Vuyo Zangqa closed the gap once more while Nasoni Roko was sin-binned for an offence at the breakdown. Fijian Vereniki Goneva was yellow carded for using his shoulder in a tackle with 27 seconds remaining, allowing Lionel Mapoe to score South Africa’s fourth try.
The Springboks reached the final with emphatic play-off victories over Australia in the quarterfinals (24-10) and Samoa in the last four (29-3), having come through their pool with wins over Korea (29-7), Uruguay (53-0) and France (26-12).
The IRB Sevens Series now moves to Adelaide for the sixth tournament in the competition. – Sapa