Overview
- Impi Visser forced the turnover to set up Gino Cupido’s opener, Tristan Leyds added a second, and Terio Veilawa scored Fiji’s reply in a tense 10-7 finish.
- The victory capped a dominant campaign featuring tournament wins in Cape Town, Perth and Vancouver and podium finishes at all six events.
- South Africa and Fiji entered New York tied on 86 log points with Fiji narrowly ahead on points difference, setting up a direct title decider.
- Fiji beat Australia 28-7 and South Africa topped Argentina 14-5 in the semifinals, with Argentina later defeating Australia 26-10 for bronze.
- Captain Impi Visser marked his 50th tournament, Selvyn Davids reached 102 career circuit tries and earned Player of the Final, and teams now turn to next month’s World Championship in Hong Kong.