The Blitzboks began the defence of their Cape Town Sevens crown with a pulsating win in the final seconds against Fiji on Saturday.
South Africa snatched a 24-21 victory after trailing 21-12 in the second half on a hot but blustery day in the Mother City.
The never-say-die Blitzboks sent the home crowd wild when Shilton van Wyk dotted down with the final play of the match to overhaul Fiji. It was payback after the Pacific Islanders overcame South Africa in Dubai a week ago.
The match had started in frenetic fashion. A break on their own tryline saw Fiji move upfield before a switch sent Apete Narogo in unopposed.
But the home side hit straight back with a length-of-the field team try finished off by Christie Grobbelaar.
More poor slipped tackles by South Africa saw Terio Veilawa run in from deep inside his own half for a 14-7 lead, before Van Wyk hit back for the Blitzboks.
After the restart, a mesmerising run by sevens star Joseva Talacolo saw Fiji stretch the lead to 21-12 to silence the passionate home fans.
But the Blitzboks were not done and a smart bit of improvisation by Donavan Don led to another scintillating score by Van Wyk to reduce the lead by two with around 90 seconds left.
A trademark Shilton handoff!
The #Blitzboks are on the board in Cape Town
#PoweredByUnity #ComingInHot pic.twitter.com/dDJvMREaCT
— Springbok Sevens (@Blitzboks) December 6, 2025
Don then orchestrated a brilliant late turnover to give the home side a sniff. A sniping run from a penalty by Ronald Brown almost saw him touch down but he managed to offload for Van Wyk to score his hat-trick and seal a brilliant win.
The Blitzboks’ face Dubai winners New Zealand (4pm) and Great Britain (7:41pm) in their remaining pool matches on Saturday.
Meanwhile, New Zealand blew Great Britain away 29-12 to take the early lead in Pool A.
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
The post Blitzboks thrill in come-from-behind win over Fiji appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.