HSBC SVNS: Australia and South Africa claim Cape Town titles

Blitzboks become the first side to claim back-to-back titles in South Africa, while Australia overpower the Black Ferns Sevens to avenge their defeat in Dubai

Australia put the disappointment of their desert reign-ending defeat in Dubai on the opening weekend of the HSBC SVNS Series with a gold-wrapped unbeaten run to the Cape Town title.

Isabella Nasser and her team-mates had the upper hand over arch-rivals New Zealand throughout the gold-medal match to lift the trophy as the sun went down.

France claimed a podium place in South Africa for the third tournament in a row, with a thrilling comeback win over USA, after Japan had left it late to beat Canada for the third time in two tournaments and the second time in two days.

Player of the final Nasser said afterwards: “We hurt last week when we lost against the Kiwis. But we put it all out there today and I’m so proud of every single one of the girls. It was a big squad effort.

In the men's competition, South Africa become the first team to win consecutive HSBC SVNS titles in Cape Town with a late Christie Grobbelaar winner in a thrilling final.

South Africa sent their home fans wild as they came from behind to claim back-to-back titles in a thrilling final to sign off the Cape Town leg of the HSBC SVNS in dramatic style.

Early in the second half, Argentina looked to have the gold-medal match sewn up to complete a remarkable turnaround after finishing eighth in Dubai. 

But the Blitzboks hit back with two tries in the last four minutes as the excited crowd ramped up the volume.

Speaking immediately after the final whistle, captain Impi Visser said: “It was a tough final. We made it a little bit difficult for ourselves. The boys showed massive character [this weekend]. We had some tough games but the boys pulled through.”

Earlier, Fiji claimed third with a win over France, and Dubai champions New Zealand claimed fifth.