In a climactic conclusion to the 2026 World Rugby Sevens series, South Africa emerged victorious after a tense championship final against Fiji at the New York Sevens tournament. The two teams entered Sunday’s decisive match tied atop the season standings, transforming the final into an ultimate series decider.
The South African squad established early dominance with Selvyn Davids scoring the sole try of the first half. Tristan Leyds extended their advantage to 10-0 just two minutes into the second period with another crucial try. Fiji mounted a formidable comeback in the closing moments as Terio Veilawa crossed the line, narrowing the gap to 10-7 with merely two minutes remaining.
The match reached its peak intensity when Fiji gained final possession, advancing within five meters of the South African try line. Their championship hopes ended abruptly with a knock-on that terminated the attacking opportunity, securing South Africa’s double victory in both the tournament and overall series.
South African captain Impi Visser, celebrating his 50th World Series match, praised the monumental defensive effort: “Fiji brought out the best in us. It’s remarkable how everything culminated in this final—as if perfectly scripted.”
In the women’s championship, New Zealand delivered a spectacular comeback against Australia, overcoming a 21-5 deficit to claim a 22-21 victory. Despite having already secured the series title by reaching the semifinals, the Black Ferns demonstrated exceptional determination to conclude their season triumphantly.
The match saw Australian sisters Teagan and Maddison Levi combine for three tries, establishing what appeared to be an insurmountable lead. New Zealand’s resilience manifested through tries from Alena Saili and a double from Kelsey Tineti, setting the stage for Katelyn Vahaakolo’s match-winning try converted in the final minute.
New Zealand captain Risi Pouri-Lane emphasized the team’s collective belief: “Final matches can swing either way, but grinding through adversity when odds are against you truly matters. The unwavering conviction within every team member proved decisive.”