The Springbok Sevens will face this season’s greatest rivals Fiji, in a much-anticipated showdown for the HSBC World SVNS Series title on Sunday night as they go head to head in the final of the New York Sevens.
The Blitzboks and Fiji both moved into the final by winning their semifinals, and in the last tournament of the series, the most fitting showdown is the two sides who are at the top of the log battling it out for the title.
The Blitzboks defeated Fiji in Perth’s final to win there, but have lost more against the South Sea side than they have won this season. But in this final - taking place at 10.44pm (CAT, GMT+2) - everything is on the line and both sides will be desperate to win.
The Blitzboks faced a tough semifinal, beating Argentina 12-5 in an arm wrestle where a beauty of a 70 metre sprint by Selvyn Davids - beating speedster Marcus Moneta on the outside as he backed himself, added to Sebastian Jobb’s earlier try to be enough for victory.
Jobb had a second individual superb effort notched off after a knock-on was picked up by the TMO, but the Blitzboks still had enough to win the semifinal.
Fiji smashed Australia 28-7 in their semifinal, taking revenge for their pool loss to the Wallaby Sevens on Saturday.
The Blitzboks are now in their fourth final, and have won the other three they took part in, taking titles in Cape Town, Perth and Vancouver this season.
A win in New York would be the cherry on top and give them the title they have longed for. But Fiji will be just as desperate.