South Africa Clinch the Overall HSBC SVNS Series Title.

2026-03-16 - 01:48

South Africa beat Fiji to seal the gold medal in New York, adding to their Cape Town, Perth and Vancouver crowns, and clinch the overall HSBC SVNS Series title. Both prizes were on the line but Philip Snyman’s Blitzboks edged out Fiji 10-7 in an enthralling final to cap an action-packed weekend of action in the first-ever tournament in New York. South Africa captain Impi Visser, playing his 50th tournament on the global circuit, showed his strength to pilfer possession from Fiji and then intelligence to send Gino Cupido racing clear for the opening try. Tristan Leyds added a second before Terio Veilawa got Fiji back into the game to set up a tense finale. The Blitzboks, though, showed remarkable defensive resolve to hold on for the win, while Fiji made it six podium finishes in six HSBC SVNS Series tournaments. After South Africa won their seventh final on US soil, HSBC Sevens Player of the Final Selvyn Davids said: “What a performance! “We stuck to our guns because we knew Fiji were going to be physical, but thankfully we came out on top.” Inspirational skipper Visser added: “It was a massive defensive effort and testament to all our hard work. “We couldn’t have scripted it any better and we’re just thankful we came up with the win.”