Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Watch: The ice-cold winner that knocked Fiji out of Cape Town title race

French players celebrate their win during the cup semifinals of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series men's rugby match between Fiji and France at the Cape Town stadium in Cape Town on December 8, 2024. (Photo by Rodger Bosch / AFP) (Photo by RODGER BOSCH/AFP via Getty Images)

Enahemo Artaud broke Fijian hearts on Sunday afternoon with a clutch sideline conversion to hand France a dramatic 19-17 win in the SVNS Cape Town semi-finals. Fiji were looking to repeat their Dubai Sevens heroics with another title, but they’re instead let to battle it out for third.

ADVERTISEMENT

France and Fiji had already played out a thriller during the 2024/25 HSBC SVNS Series season after meeting in the quarter-final stage in Dubai. The Fijians stole that knockout showdown with a runaway try in the 15th minute, with not much separating the two teams that day.

It was a very similar story in the Western Cape over the weekend, but instead, it was France’s time to claw their way back from the brink of defeat. Simon Desert was one of France’s heroes in that semi-final clash, but the defining moment rested on the shoulders of a youngster.

Video Spacer
Video Spacer

Catch up on the action from the HSBC SVNS Series live on RugbyPass TV, which you can sign up for HERE.

After recording two solid wins during the pool stage, Fiji appeared to be at their best. They started their quest for SVNS Cape Town glory with a stunning 70-7 demolition of newly promoted Uruguay and a five-point win over Great Britain.

With a new competition format in Cape Town sending the top-ranked side in each pool directly to the semi-finals, those two results were all Fiji needed to secure their place in the final four. As for France, they had beaten the USA and New Zealand.

That set the stage for an enthralling knockout clash.

Celian Pouzelgues and Liam Delamare scored first-half tries for the French, while George Bose ensured Fiji wouldn’t go into the half empty handed on the scoreboard. Ikikimi Vunaki scored in the ninth minute to make it anyone’s game going into the championship minutes.

ADVERTISEMENT

Iowane Teba raced away in the 13th minute to seemingly snatch it for Fiji, but France didn’t throw in the towel as Desert ended up striking back with a long-range effort. But with the scores locked at 17-all and with time up on the clock, it all came down to one last play.

Artaud, who was playing in only his second SVNS Series event, lined up a shot at goal from the left touchline. As thousands at DHL Stadium watched on, the Frenchman hit the ball perfectly as it sailed through the uprights to book France’s spot in the big dance.

“The job’s not done yet,” William Iraguha said on RugbyPass TV after the semi-final. As France had shown during their run to the overall SVNS Series title last season, this team has set the bar high as they continue to chase silverware on the global sevens circuit.

ADVERTISEMENT

As for Fiji, they were left to scrap it out with Spain, who had put up a valiant fight against tournament hosts South Africa. Eduardo Lopez capped off a solid start by Espana with a try in the fifth minute, and playmaker Alejandro Laforga also got on the scoresheet.

Zain Davids scored with a sensational effort in the eighth minute to see the Blitzboks trail by seven points at the break. The second term was one-way traffic as South Africa took control, with Shilton van Wyk standing out during a series of game-changing passages.

Van Wyk and Tristan Leyds both crossed for five-pointers as the Blitzboks registered a 19-12 win. Spain had made their first-ever men’s Cup Final on the SVNS Series the weekend before in Dubai, and they’d come incredibly close to repeating that effort in Cape Town.

Top 100

Rugby’s best of the best, ranked by experts. Check out our list of the Top 100 Men's Rugby Players and let us know what you think! 



ADVERTISEMENT

HSBC SVNS Singapore 2025 | Day Two Men's Highlights

HSBC SVNS Singapore 2025 | Day Two Women's Highlights

Jet Lag: The biggest challenge facing international sports? | The Report

Boks Office | Episode 39 | The Investec Champions Cup is back

Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry? | New Zealand & Australia | Sevens Wonders | Episode 5

Kobelco Kobe Steelers vs Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo | Japan Rugby League One 2024/25 | Full Match Replay

The Rise of Kenya | The Report

The Fixture: How This Rugby Rivalry Has Lasted 59 Years

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

A
Aric Boyer 1 hour ago
Don't get out over your skis on the Highlanders

I Could Hardly Breathe! Months of tireless fundraising had finally come through for my small nonprofit, and we had $300,000 in Bitcoin to supply food, shelter, and medical aid to refugees fleeing war. That fund was hope, a future for families who had no other place to turn. It all fell apart in an instant. Our treasurer, a man I'd trusted like a brother, vanished overnight and took the entire fund with him. I was heartbroken. The weight of the people who were depending on us pressed against my chest. I could hardly breathe. I looked at my screen, powerless to do anything as the blockchain ledger confirmed my worst nightmare, the funds had been moved through a series of wallets, vanished into thin air.

Sleepless and remorseful, I consulted a crisis management expert in a desperate phone call. With the calm, panic-slashing tone of her voice, she spoke GRAYWARE TECH SERVICES . Her confidence was the sort that spoke of seen miracles. At that straw of hope, I grasped and called them immediately.

From that first call, GRAYWARE TECH SERVICES treated my case like those refugee lives were in their own hands. Their lead investigator explained their approach, tracing transactions through blockchains, monitoring wallet activity, and leveraging relationships with international exchanges. They explained it all in plain terms, never once making me feel dumb for my ignorance. They understood both the technical complexity and the human stakes.

There were daily progress reports. They followed the laundering path our treasurer had attempted, following the trail through the decentralized exchanges and privacy-focused mixers. Each breakthrough was like a heartbeat resuscitating a stilled chest. On the nineteenth day, they called with the words I had scarcely dared to hope: "We got it back."

I got down on my knees and wept. $300,000 was safely recovered to our nonprofit wallet. But GRAYWARE TECH SERVICES didn't hesitate. They guided us through implementing enhanced security measures, such as multi-signature wallets, cold storage solutions, and rigorous internal oversight. They even advised us on vetting future financial officers.

Our mission is stronger today than ever. Refugee families are still being assisted, and I sleep well knowing our funds are secure. GRAYWARE TECH SERVICES not only retrieved our Bitcoin, they restored my faith in resiliency and human kindness. You can reach them on web at ( https://graywaretechservices.com/ )    also on Mail: (contact@graywaretechservices.com)

4 Go to comments
A
Aric Boyer 2 hours ago
What Newcastle 'can’t legislate for' as they face fellow basement dwellers

I Could Hardly Breathe! Months of tireless fundraising had finally come through for my small nonprofit, and we had $300,000 in Bitcoin to supply food, shelter, and medical aid to refugees fleeing war. That fund was hope, a future for families who had no other place to turn. It all fell apart in an instant. Our treasurer, a man I'd trusted like a brother, vanished overnight and took the entire fund with him. I was heartbroken. The weight of the people who were depending on us pressed against my chest. I could hardly breathe. I looked at my screen, powerless to do anything as the blockchain ledger confirmed my worst nightmare, the funds had been moved through a series of wallets, vanished into thin air.

Sleepless and remorseful, I consulted a crisis management expert in a desperate phone call. With the calm, panic-slashing tone of her voice, she spoke GRAYWARE TECH SERVICES . Her confidence was the sort that spoke of seen miracles. At that straw of hope, I grasped and called them immediately.

From that first call, GRAYWARE TECH SERVICES treated my case like those refugee lives were in their own hands. Their lead investigator explained their approach, tracing transactions through blockchains, monitoring wallet activity, and leveraging relationships with international exchanges. They explained it all in plain terms, never once making me feel dumb for my ignorance. They understood both the technical complexity and the human stakes.

There were daily progress reports. They followed the laundering path our treasurer had attempted, following the trail through the decentralized exchanges and privacy-focused mixers. Each breakthrough was like a heartbeat resuscitating a stilled chest. On the nineteenth day, they called with the words I had scarcely dared to hope: "We got it back."

I got down on my knees and wept. $300,000 was safely recovered to our nonprofit wallet. But GRAYWARE TECH SERVICES didn't hesitate. They guided us through implementing enhanced security measures, such as multi-signature wallets, cold storage solutions, and rigorous internal oversight. They even advised us on vetting future financial officers.

Our mission is stronger today than ever. Refugee families are still being assisted, and I sleep well knowing our funds are secure. GRAYWARE TECH SERVICES not only retrieved our Bitcoin, they restored my faith in resiliency and human kindness. You can reach them on web at ( https://graywaretechservices.com/ )    also on Mail: (contact@graywaretechservices.com)

0 Go to comments
A
Aric Boyer 2 hours ago
Waratahs turn to 'tough bugger' for captaincy with more history on the line

I Could Hardly Breathe! Months of tireless fundraising had finally come through for my small nonprofit, and we had $300,000 in Bitcoin to supply food, shelter, and medical aid to refugees fleeing war. That fund was hope, a future for families who had no other place to turn. It all fell apart in an instant. Our treasurer, a man I'd trusted like a brother, vanished overnight and took the entire fund with him. I was heartbroken. The weight of the people who were depending on us pressed against my chest. I could hardly breathe. I looked at my screen, powerless to do anything as the blockchain ledger confirmed my worst nightmare, the funds had been moved through a series of wallets, vanished into thin air.

Sleepless and remorseful, I consulted a crisis management expert in a desperate phone call. With the calm, panic-slashing tone of her voice, she spoke GRAYWARE TECH SERVICES . Her confidence was the sort that spoke of seen miracles. At that straw of hope, I grasped and called them immediately.

From that first call, GRAYWARE TECH SERVICES treated my case like those refugee lives were in their own hands. Their lead investigator explained their approach, tracing transactions through blockchains, monitoring wallet activity, and leveraging relationships with international exchanges. They explained it all in plain terms, never once making me feel dumb for my ignorance. They understood both the technical complexity and the human stakes.

There were daily progress reports. They followed the laundering path our treasurer had attempted, following the trail through the decentralized exchanges and privacy-focused mixers. Each breakthrough was like a heartbeat resuscitating a stilled chest. On the nineteenth day, they called with the words I had scarcely dared to hope: "We got it back."

I got down on my knees and wept. $300,000 was safely recovered to our nonprofit wallet. But GRAYWARE TECH SERVICES didn't hesitate. They guided us through implementing enhanced security measures, such as multi-signature wallets, cold storage solutions, and rigorous internal oversight. They even advised us on vetting future financial officers.

Our mission is stronger today than ever. Refugee families are still being assisted, and I sleep well knowing our funds are secure. GRAYWARE TECH SERVICES not only retrieved our Bitcoin, they restored my faith in resiliency and human kindness. You can reach them on web at ( https://graywaretechservices.com/ )    also on Mail: (contact@graywaretechservices.com)

0 Go to comments
TRENDING
TRENDING Gabby Logan lets slip the Prem club son Reuben has signed for Gabby Logan lets slip the Prem club son Reuben has signed for
Search