A superb second-half semi-final comeback by a full-strength Fiji side ended the Blitzboks' run (26-24) to the Cup final in the Hong Kong leg of the World Sevens Series on Sunday.
In an exciting clash, the Blitzboks got off to a great start as they opened the scoring through Selvyn Davids in 1st minute. Fiji responded shortly afterwards when Kalione Nasoko powered his way over in the corner for an unconverted score (7-5).
The Fijians' physicality certainly put the Blitzboks under pressure, but they handled that pressure well and Davids managed to get over the tryline for a top try (12-5).
Davids visited the Fijians' in-goal area again, and his hat-trick meant that the Springbok Sevens team were 19-5 up at half-time. But Fiji got straight back into the game after the break when Samisoni Viriviri crossed over for a converted try (19-12).
Amenoni Nasilasila allowed the Fijians to draw level with the Blitzboks when he scored straight from a restart kick (19-19).
Nasilasila added a second converted try with two minutes to play, and the Blitzboks responded through Muller du Plessis crossing the whitewash. But Davids missed the conversion kick (26-24), and Fiji managed to keep the South Africans from doing damage until the final hooter.
Earlier on Sunday, the Blitzboks comfortably put Spain away (38-5) in their quarter-final clash.
The South Africans received two yellow cards in the match, but even with a numerical disadvantage they still proved too strong for their Spanish opponents.
Muller du Plessis scored a hat-trick in the encounter, while Dewald Human and Selvyn Davids also added a five-pointer each. Davids, Human and Rhyno Smith each slotted a conversion.
Pol Pla scored the only try for Spain.
The Blitzboks will now play in the bronze final against New Zealand 12:30 (SA time).