South Africa Triumphs in Men’s World Rugby Sevens Series
In an exhilarating finale on Sunday at the New York Sevens, South Africa emerged victorious in the 2026 men’s World Rugby Sevens series, triumphing over Fiji in a match that doubled as the season decider. Both teams entered the tournament tied at the top of the season standings, setting the stage for a thrilling showdown.
Match Highlights
The first half saw South Africa take control with a solitary try scored by Selvyn Davids, ultimately leading 5-0 at the break. The Springboks extended their advantage shortly after halftime via a try from Tristan Leyds, bringing the score to 10-0. However, Fiji made a late charge, with Terio Veilawa scoring a try that brought the score to a tense 10-7 with mere minutes left on the clock. As they pressed on in a bid for victory, Fiji found themselves just five meters from the South African try line; unfortunately, a crucial knock-on halted their final assault, preserving South Africa’s lead and clinching the series for them.
“It was just a massive, massive defensive effort,” reflected South Africa’s captain, Impi Visser. “Fiji brought out the best in us. It’s incredible that it came down to this final; it was almost like a script written just for us,” he added, marking his own milestone of playing in his 50th World Series match.
New Zealand’s Remarkable Comeback in Women’s Final
On the women’s side, New Zealand also showcased remarkable resilience, clawing back from a 21-5 deficit to edge past Australia with a final score of 22-21. Throughout the season, the two teams faced each other in all six finals, with New Zealand securing five victories overall. Despite already winning the women’s World Series title by reaching the semifinals, the Black Ferns aimed to conclude the season on a high note.
Australia’s early dominance was showcased through two tries from Teagan Levi and another from her sister Maddison Levi, giving them a significant lead. However, New Zealand responded with tries from Alena Saili and Kelsey Tineti, narrowing the gap to 21-15. In a nail-biting finish, Jorja Miller earned a penalty, which set up a close-range try by Katelyn Vahaakolo, successfully converted to seal the comeback for New Zealand.
New Zealand captain Risi Pouri-Lane emphasized the importance of teamwork and belief in their victory, stating, “Even before the game started, we knew it was all about heart. Final matches can be unpredictable, but the faith each player had in one another made all the difference.”
Conclusion
In summary, South Africa and New Zealand showed tenacity and skill to claim their respective titles, creating memorable moments in the 2026 World Rugby Sevens series.
