Blitzboks end SVNS title-drought in Australia with thrilling win over Fiji

South Africa have snapped a HSBC SVNS Series title-drought in Australia that stretches back nine years, taking out this season’s stop in Perth with a 21-19 win over Fiji at HBF Park. Riccardo Duarttee slotted a few clutch conversions as the Blitzboks got the job done in scorching conditions.

These two sides have formed quite the rivalry throughout the 2025/26 SVNS Series, drawn in the same pool at every tournament so far. Fiji won a group-stage thriller between the sides 20-14 on Saturday, but the Blitzboks claimed bragging rights with victory in the big dance.

Ryan Oosthuizen struck first as the Blitzboks took control of the semi-final early, racing away for his first try of the tournament in the second minute. David Brits and Tristan Leyds set up the try, before Duarttee added the extras with a difficult conversion attempt.

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It was all South Africa until almost the half-time break, with Sebastiaan Jobb adding to their lead with a runaway try soon after. Duarttee was again accurate with the spot kick, as the Boks raced out to a commanding 14-nil lead.

Fiji have made remarkable comeback wins somewhat of a habit this season, and it seemed the SVNS Series leaders were on their way to another win for the ages. Naduvalo had been one of the standouts all weekend, and the try-scoring machine was again among the action.

Naduvalo brought Fiji back into the contest with a try in the sixth minute, following an impressive break from Terio Veilawa a couple of phases earlier. The SVNS Series top try-scorer had too much pace for Oosthuizen, but he did make the conversion tougher, which proved pivotal in the end.

While Fiji missed the conversion, captain Jeremaia Matana made it a one-score game with a try just before the break. Veilawa hit the skipper on a switch play, before the playmaker slotted a shot at goal, which reduced the deficit to just two.

“They’ve stolen momentum back in this game have Fiji. I love the late switch on the edge,” commentator Karl Te Nana said on the broadcast.

“They draw the inside defender, the nice late switch was excellent from the skipper Matana and Fiji are now bringing the heat.”

Fiji took the lead for the first time to start the second half, with Veilawa touching down for the go-ahead points inside the opening minute. Iowane Teba made it a five-point ballgame with the conversion, but this match was far from over.

Oosthuizen brought the teams level with another try in the 12^th minute, allowing Duarttee to potentially give the Boks the lead back. Duarttee was again accurate when it mattered most, giving South Africa a two-point advantage with less than four to play.

The final few minutes was tense, defined by tough defence and costly mistakes. In the end, South Africa did enough to secure their first SVNS title on Australian soil since 2017, snapping a streak of three straight final defeats Down Under.

“Very happy with that performance,” Oosthuizen said post-game, having been named Player of the Final.

“Playing against Fiji, it’s always a battle. We always expect a war against them and today they definitely delivered.

“I’m super proud of my team. I think we fought for one another and that’s the Blitzboks standard we set for each other.”

In the third-place playoff, Australia recorded their second consecutive win over the All Blacks Sevens, with Josh Turner the hero in the 12-10 triumph. New Zealand-born Turner burrowed over for a try in the final play, setting up the match-winning conversion from Ben Dowling.