The Blitzboks defended their SVNS World Championship title after beating Fiji in the quarter-finals of the Bordeaux tournament on Saturday.
South Africa lost 15-12 to the Pacific Islanders earlier in the day, but qualified for the playoffs as one of the best third-placed teams in their pool.
And they gained sweet revenge with a 14-12 victory that set up a semi-final against France on Sunday (1:14pm SA time).
The Blitzboks fell 12-0 behind in the quarter-final and then lost Ryan Oosthuizen to a yellow card, but fought back brilliantly.
A superb cross-kick from Tristan Leyds sent Sebastiaan Jobb over just before half-time to reduce the deficit.
The Blitzboks seized control after the break when Donavan Don burst through the Fijian defence before putting Jobb away for his second try. Ricardo Duarttee’s conversion made it 14-12.
The match became increasingly physical, with a mass scuffle leading to a penalty against the Blitzboks after Duarttee was penalised.
Fiji launched one final attack in the closing stages, but a knock-on ended their hopes.
An emotional moment for Impi Visser 🥹
He’s taking it all in after the Blitzboks’ back-to-back #HSBCSVNS titles
#HSBCSVNSBOD | #SSRugby pic.twitter.com/4sqRTDa4wj
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) June 6, 2026
Photo: David van der Sandt/Gallo Images
The post Blitzboks edge Fiji to go back to back appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
The Blitzboks defended their SVNS World Championship title after beating Fiji in the quarter-finals of the Bordeaux tournament on Saturday.
The post Blitzboks edge Fiji to go back to back appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
