South Africa beat Fiji to notch fourth tournament win out of five as Hong Kong Sevens approaches

The Blitzboks are in irresistible form ahead of next month’s flagship tournament

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The South African team celebrates the Cup Final championship after defeating Fiji, 19-12, on day three of the USA Sevens Rugby tournament, part of the World Rugby Sevens Series, March 5, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. / AFP PHOTO / David Becker

Published: 10:20am, 6 Mar 2017Updated: 10:05pm, 6 Mar 2017

With the Hong Kong Sevens fast approaching, South Africa look nailed-on favourites for the title after notching their fourth win of the season from five tournaments in Las Vegas with a 19-12 triumph over Fiji.

With tries from Chris Dry, Cecil Afrika and Rosko Specman South Africa denied Fiji a third straight Las Vegas crown. Fiji, the Olympic champions, remain in search of a first victory of the season, although they moved into second place in the standings led by South Africa on 107 points.

Fiji – now coached by former Hong Kong coach Gareth Baber – leapfrogged England to stand second on 83 points, England dropping to third on 81 as the series heads to Vancouver next weekend then to Hong Kong for the World Sevens Series flagship event on April 7-9.

Waisea Nacuqu (R) of Fiji carries the ball for a try against Stephan Dippenaar of South Africa. AFP PHOTO / David Becker

This time around, South Africa powered to the title without Seabelo Senatla, crowned player of the final in both Wellington and Sydney before leaving the Blitzboks for Super Rugby duty.

Man of the match honours went to Specman, who said he owed a debt to his teammates – and offered a shout-out to Senatla.

RE:LIVE | Player of the final, @speckmagic11 scores sensational try with an outrageous step at the #USA7s pic.twitter.com/iIJbOjQ5y7

— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) March 6, 2017