Fiji won a gruelling final 26-24 to clinch a famous victory against South Africa at the Cathay Pacific / Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens.

Fiji led throughout a pulsating final and, although South Africa responded heroically to match them try for try, Mzwandile Stick was left with a conversion near the touchline to tie with the last kick of the game. He missed narrowly to spark jubilant scenes of celebration for Fiji's players and fans, who have waited since the Adelaide tournament in April 2007 before claiming this most recent success on the IRB Sevens World Series.


VIDEO: Hong Kong champions - Iliesa Tanivula, Fiji coach

South Africa now lead the race for the IRB Sevens World Series title with 84 points from England on 68. Fiji leap-frog New Zealand into third place on 62 with the Kiwis (60) and Argentina (56) not far behind.

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Fiji claim first Hong Kong title for 10 years

Series points: Fiji (30), South Africa (24), Kenya (18), Samoa (18), Argentina (8), Australia (8), England (8), New Zealand (8)

Emosi Vucago took advantage of some lacklustre South African tackling to score two first half tries and inspire his countrymen to a first Hong Kong title since 1999, beating South Africa 26-24.

Vucago (2) and Osea Kolinisau scored early on for the islanders, but Renfred Dazel and Robert Ebersohn hit back for the Boks to trail just 19-12 at the half. The South Africans needed to score first after the break but instead the Fijians crossed the whitewash, Seremaia Burotu capping a fine tournament with a try for a 26-12 lead. With less than two minutes remaining Vuyo Zangqa scored for South Africa and then Lionel Mapoe's try at the death left Mzwandile Stick with a difficult conversion to tie the scores, a kick he narrowly missed to spark mass Fijian celebrations.

South Africa had won through to only their third ever Hong Kong Sevens Cup final with a 29-3 victory over Samoa. Lolo Lui notched an early drop goal for the Samoans but thereafter the match was dominated by Paul Treu's side with Renfred Dazel outstanding. Frankie Horne's try initially put them ahead and they led 14-3 at the break after Robert Ebersohn's score. The Boks then laid on a Sevens masterclass, Dazel himself kicking a penalty drop goal before crossing for a try and Ryno Benjamin rounded off the scoring.

Iliesa Tanivula's new crop of Fijian talents reversed the World Cup quarter final result against Kenya in their semi final, putting in an outstanding performance to win 24-7 and reach a first Cup final of the season. Pio Tuwai was in inspirational form as the islanders crossed for four tries by Seremaia Burotu (2), Emosi Vucago and Vereniki Goneva.

Earlier the South Africans beat Australia 24-10 in the quarter finals and Fiji overcame England.

Reaction: Iliesa Tanivula, Fiji coach

"These young guys, they really did themselves proud and their families. We were written off before we left and I think it just motivated us more to come out and the guys did it on the day. Credit to them, I couldn't have asked for more.

"The plan was to pile on the points early on and put pressure on them to catch us up and it worked. They came back and just missed that last kick, but we'll take the 30 points.

"There have been some problems back home and this is probably one of the things that gets us together as a nation and I'm sure they're celebrating now."

Pual Treu, South Africa coach

"I think the players will definitely be disappointed after this one, this was definitely a tournament there for the taking. I think the moment they hit the bus and we go back to the hotel they'll realise it.

"For us it's about the season, there are eight tournaments and it's a first time that we've played in three finals, the first time we've won back to back titles. I think we've let ourselves down, we went in with a strategy and we didn't quite implement the way we should. We missed too many tackles in that first half and that cost us, especially against a team like Fiji."

Last gasp Tonga beat Canada to Plate title

Series points: Tonga (4), Canada (3), France (2), Wales (2)

Tonga broke Canadian hearts by scoring a try with the last play of the match, and kicked the conversion to win 14-12 and take the Plate title. The Canadians led 12-5 at the break after Sean Duke and DTH van der Merwe's tries were pegged back by Peasipa Moimoi and they looked set for victory until Nili Latu's late try was cooly converted by Moimoi.

Earlier the Tongans beat off the stiff challenge of France 19-10, Sosaia Palei (2) and Ualosi Kailea scoring their tries, while in the other half of the draw the Canadians put in a typically abrasive performance to score three tries to two and win against World Champions Wales, Adam Kleeberger with a brace and Sean Duke with one.

Reaction: Viliami Ma'afu, Tonga captain

"It means a lot, we only go to three tournaments (on the World Series) so every time we play we also try and get to the top. We know we have the ability to win finals and we did it today, even though it wasn't a Cup final, we're still happy to take something home. The first half didn't have the ball, we were defending and we knew that if we could get the ball and hold onto it, we were going to score some tries."

Portugal take Bowl title

Series points: Portugal (1)

Portugal beat off the fine challenge of Uruguay to win the Bowl trophy, 14-12. The Portuguese were made to defend for long periods of the match as Los Teros applied pressure but their famous defence held out and both tries by Frederico Oliveira and Joao Mirra were converted for a 14-0 lead. Ignacio Conti and Santiago Corracedo hit back for Uruguay but they were left to rue a missed conversion.

Pedro Leal earlier scored three tries against China as they claimed their place in the final with a 26-10 win against Japan, while Uruguay won through with a 28-14 victory against Zimbabwe.

Reaction: Diogo Mateus, Portugal captain

"Today we knew it was either live or die and we went for it in the last game. Uruguay also put in a lot of effort, as much as us, but it was a great game and a great day to win the tournament.

"It's hard to come from fifteens to Sevens but we have guys good enough for it. It's been a great month for us, a lot of important wins in the fifteens (European Nations Cup) and to win the Bowl here was great."