France through to home SVNS decider after beating Blitzboks in Bordeaux

France have beaten 2026 HSBC SVNS World Championship winners South Africa 21-12 to book their place in the Men’s Cup Final at their home event. Les Bleus Sevens will play the All Blacks Sevens for the Bordeaux title, while the Blitzboks face Spain to determine third. 

With a passionate crowd watching on at Stade Atlantique, France raced out to a 14-point lead with less than three minutes remaining. Enahemo Artaud, Rayan Rebbadj and Antoine Zeghdar all scored tries as the home side took control of the contest on Sunday afternoon. 

France seemed to grow in confidence as the match went on, with their efforts on the defensive side of the ball having a big say on the result. South Africa hit back late through Donovan Don but a nine-point difference still separated the teams with time almost up. 

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The Bordeaux crowd erupted into a celebratory cheer as the full-time whistle sounded, with Les Bleus Sevens through to a Cup Final for the first time since SVNS Singapore. It will be their sixth SVNS decider over the last three seasons, with their last victory coming at the 2024 SVNS Grand Final.

“It’s amazing. It has been a long time since we had a tournament in France and we really feel the crowd, who is pushing for us,” Zeghdar told RugbyPass in Bordeaux. 

“We want to do good things in the final and are going to have a good recovery, as we prepare as good as possible for the final.” 

France will take on New Zealand, who claimed a remarkable comeback win when these sides met during the pool stage. Rob Rush and Roderick Solo touched down for a late try each as the All Blacks Sevens fought back for a 26-21 victory. 

New Zealand topped the pool and have kept their unbeaten run alive, overcoming Great Britain and Spain in the knockouts. The All Blacks Sevens are looking to claim their first SVNS title since the 2026 season opener in Dubai last December. 

“A final in France, it’s something amazing,” Zeghdar said. 

“The only tournament I’ve played in France was the Olympics and it really brought us a lot of energy for the final. I hope it will be the same today.

“We don’t know which team we are going to have in the final but we will be ready.” 

South Africa will finish either third or fourth at SVNS Bordeaux, but have still did enough to claim the overall World Championship title. The Blitzboks defeated Fiji in a thrilling quarter-final on Saturday, which means they can’t be caught on the overall standings.