The HSBC SVNS Series leaders, Fiji, orchestrated an astonishing comeback against South Africa in Perth, registering 20 consecutive points, with the phenomenal try-scorer Viwa Naduvalo being instrumental in their 20-14 triumph on Saturday evening at HBF Park.
Fiji had previously been crowned SVNS Singapore champions last Sunday, overcoming France with a score of 21-12 at the National Stadium. Naduvalo was honored as the Player of the Final at that event for the second successive year, and the 29-year-old has sustained that exceptional form into the Australian stage of the Series.
This particular match marked the fourth pool-stage confrontation between Fiji and South Africa during the ongoing 2025/26 campaign, as they have consistently been placed in the same group at every tournament thus far. Fiji had secured a thrilling extra-time victory over the two sides just seven days prior in the Lion City.
Moving forward to SVNS Perth, Naduvalo ascended to the position of top try-scorer in men’s seven this season by scoring a double against the Blitzboks. This rivalry consistently delivers, providing a finals-level intensity in a contest that determined the top-seeded squad from Pool A in advance of the semi-finals.
The Blitzboks, who claimed the title at their home tournament in Cape Town last December, initiated the scoring through the seasoned SVNS Series player, Zain Davids. Davids had recently achieved his 50th try in a Blitzboks jersey and further extended that tally against Fiji.
Ricardo Duarttee successfully converted both of his conversion attempts during the first half, adding the extra points after tries by Davids and Sebastiaan Jobb. South Africa held a 14-nil advantage before Fiji responded with a try from Nacani Boginisoko just prior to the interval.
Fiji executed three impressive turnarounds at SVNS Singapore last weekend, including a celebrated effort in the championship match against France. In those instances, and similarly in this encounter with South Africa, the Fijians never exhibited signs of panic or haste.
Naduvalo helped Fiji commence the second half dynamically with a try in the eighth minute, reducing the game to a four-point difference with ample time remaining. The leading candidate for the SVNS Series MVP award showcased further exceptional plays a couple of minutes later by completing a double.
With that second successful play, Fiji assumed the lead.
Iowane Teba scored what ultimately proved to be the decisive points of the match in the 12th minute. Fiji had exerted immense effort to establish their lead, but continued to perform with both calm determination and precision.
Fiji has secured passage to the Men’s Cup semi-finals with an unblemished 3-0 record from the opening day, which encompassed earlier victories of 26-10 against Argentina and 26-24 over Spain. As for the Blitzboks, they too have accumulated sufficient points to qualify for the subsequent stage after overcoming those identical opponents.
Argentina, the two-time defending SVNS Perth champions, concluded the first day without a single victory, having succumbed to Spain 26-19 in their final match on day one. Santino Zangara scored one try and Marcos Moneta registered a double, but Spain still managed to achieve the unexpected win.
Jeremy Trevithick holds the position of second-highest try-scorer in the Men’s SVNS Series, only behind Naduvalo, having scored two tries against Los Pumas Sevens. Jaime Manteca and Francisco Cosculluela also made their mark with a try apiece.
