Fiji fightback to stun South Africa in final of World Rugby Sevens Series event in Hamilton

Fiji overturned a half-time deficit to beat South Africa in the final ©Getty Images

Olympic champions Fiji triumphed in a closely fought final against South Africa at the World Rugby Sevens Series event in Hamilton.

Both teams had enjoyed unbeaten pool stages yesterday at the FMG Stadium Waikato at the New Zealand leg of the series.

Fiji would have to come through a nervy encounter with Pacific rivals Samoa in the quarter-finals, with their opponents having appeared to have scored a late winning try through Eroni Sau.

His effort had ultimately come too late, with the siren having already sounded to signal full-time in the match, as Fiji triumphed 12-10.

They took full advantage of their reprieve by beating hosts New Zealand 14-12 in the semi-finals to set up a clash with South Africa.

The defending sevens series champions had enjoyed a more serene passage to the final, as they beat Scotland 22-0 in the quarter-finals, before overcoming Australia 24-5.

South Africa appeared on course for another comfortable victory, when they established a 17-5 lead at half-time against Fiji.

A superb second half performance saw the Fijian team storm back, with Alasio Sovita Naduva finishing the match with a hat-trick of tries, helping his team to a dramatic 24-17 win.

“We did struggle at times in the tournament and won some close games but in the final in the second half we decided we were going to play better that South Africa and we did,” said Gareth Baber, Fiji coach.

“The teams character, belief and their love of their country came through and we knew we had the ability to score from anywhere.

“We had to believe in that and we got momentum in the tackle and in the contact areas.”