South Africa's men’s team thrilled home fans with a 26-14 victory over Olympic champions France, claiming their first HSBC SVNS title in Cape Town in nine years. With Springboks captain Siya Kolisi cheering from the sidelines, the final saw a breathless first half tied at 14-14 before Shilton van Wyk’s brilliance in the second half secured the win. Co-captain Zain Davids praised the team’s determination, saying, “The guys showed a lot of heart out there – we played for each other.” This victory comes after a narrow semifinal win over Spain, while France edged past Fiji in their semifinal clash.
In the women’s final, New Zealand overcame an early 12-0 deficit to defeat the USA 26-12, reclaiming their dominance after a disappointing finish in Dubai. Nia Tolliver’s early try gave the USA hope, but the Black Ferns Sevens, led by HSBC Player of the Final Jorja Miller, stormed back with precision to clinch victory. New Zealand women’s captain Sarah Hirini celebrated her team’s resilience, adding, “I’m absolutely stoked here. We’re going home with goodies for Christmas!” The USA’s semifinal win over Australia and New Zealand’s dominant performance against France set the stage for the thrilling showdown.
Crowds of over 75,000 at Cape Town’s DHL Stadium enjoyed two days of intense rugby action and vibrant festivities, including a world-record Ampiano dance performance. A new competition format emphasising player welfare added excitement, ensuring every match contributed to the standings. After two rounds, New Zealand leads the women’s rankings, with Fiji atop the men’s standings, setting up an intriguing race heading into the next round in Perth this January.
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