Fiji will carry the Pacific hopes into tonight’s HSBC Sevens Rugby semifinals in Cape Town after powering past New Zealand in a dominant 35-5 performance to secure a spot in the top four.

They now face Argentina for a place in the final, while hosts South Africa continue their title defence against France on the opposite side of the draw.

The new-look HSBC SVNS format has already shown how ruthless the circuit will be this season, claiming two major scalps: Newly crowned Dubai champions New Zealand and finalists Australia, both eliminated before the semifinals in Cape Town.

After a tight 24–21 opening loss to South Africa, Fiji regrouped quickly. A late Rauto Vakadranu try secured a 21-17 win against Great Britain, before the Fijians exploded in their final pool match.

Viwa Naduvalo and Terio Veilawa both grabbed doubles in Fiji’s statement 35-5 victory over the All Blacks Sevens, one of New Zealand’s heaviest losses in recent memory.

The win sent Fiji confidently into the last four, and with Argentina topping Pool B on points, their semifinal promises to be a fireworks display.

The captains of the men's and women's teams competing in Cape Town. Photo/World Rugby/Alex Ho/Zach Franzen

New Zealand bow out early in Cape Town

It was a difficult day for the Kiwis, who arrived in South Africa full of confidence after claiming the Dubai title last weekend.

They opened with a solid 29-12 win over Great Britain - Riley Williams crossing for his first career try.

But momentum slipped quickly. South Africa defeated them 19-14 in a physical contest where the Blitzboks twice survived with a player in the bin.

The All Blacks Sevens lost to South Africa 19-14. Photo/Photosport/Reinhardt Hamman/BackpagePix

Their final pool match against Fiji sealed their fate. The All Blacks Sevens were outpaced, outmuscled, and out-kicked by a Fijian team playing with total freedom.

New Zealand will now move into the minor placings, seeking consistency heading towards the next SVNS stop.

Defending Cape Town champions South Africa lit up the stadium from the opening whistle.

A dramatic after-the-hooter try from Shilton van Wyk completed his hat-trick and snatched a 24-21 win over Fiji in Pool A.

The hosts followed that with a resilient 19-14 win against New Zealand, before unleashing their full attacking arsenal in a 41-7 rout of Great Britain.

The Blitzboks face France in what is expected to be a packed semifinal under the Cape Town sun.

Cape Town Stadum. Photo/Photosport/Reinhardt Hamman/BackpagePix

Spain may have been the story of Pool B, improved, gutsy, and bold, but a late Argentina try cost them a semifinal spot on points difference.

Argentina started hot, crushing Australia 36-0, before edging into the knockouts thanks to Eliseo Morales’ last-gasp try in their 31-26 loss to Spain. The bonus point was all they needed.

France, meanwhile, secured second place with Liam Delamare’s double against Australia to win 29-10, avenging their Dubai disappointment.

This sets up the semifinals: South Africa vs France, Argentina vs Fiji.

Women’s Competition: Fiji dig deep, NZ push on despite tough draw

The Fijiana impressed again with their trademark physicality and offloading, continuing to build after a promising Dubai outing.

Their ball retention and counter-attack remain among the best in the women’s draw, and they look poised to push further up the rankings as the new SVNS format rewards consistency over the entire weekend.

The Black Ferns Sevens entered Cape Town with expectations high, but like the men, they found themselves battling a deeper field under the new format.

Their speed out wide and set-piece organisation remain among the strongest, and they remain firmly in the playoff hunt heading into Finals Day.

The fierce trans-Tasman rivalry also reignited as Australia continued their strong women’s campaign, keeping pressure on New Zealand at the top of the overall standings.

The women's semifinals showdown sees NZ take on France and Australia will face the USA.

For more information on the fixtures and results in Cape Town, click here.