France stun NZ to win Bordeaux Sevens title as South Africa end Fiji's world crown hopes

France celebrated a memorable home triumph after beating New Zealand 14-5 in the HSBC SVNS Bordeaux final with Pacific rugby fans watching the action live on television as the world sevens season came to an end in France early Monday (NZ time).

The hosts rose to the occasion in front of a packed Stade Atlantique crowd, denying the All Blacks Sevens a title finish despite New Zealand's strong run to the decider.

Fiji's hopes of ending the season as world champions had already been dashed after a thrilling quarter-final defeat to South Africa.

The result secured the Blitzboks the overall SVNS World Championship crown.

France struck first in the final through Rayan Rebbadj after slick passing created space out wide.

New Zealand responded when Jayden Keelan crossed shortly before halftime after France were reduced to six players following a yellow card to Celian Pouzelgues.

The match remained finely balanced throughout the second half with just two points separating the teams deep into the contest.

But with the clock winding down, Pouzelgues burst through to score the decisive try and spark wild celebrations among the home supporters.

The victory was a remarkable turnaround for France, who arrived in Bordeaux seventh in the World Championship standings but finished their campaign with a title on home soil.

France celebrate after defeating New Zealand 14-5 in the HSBC SVNS Bordeaux men's final, lifting the title in front of their home fans at Stade Atlantique. Photo/World Rugby

New Zealand can take positives from reaching another final while Fiji's campaign will be remembered for how close they came to challenging for the overall championship before South Africa ended their run in the quarter-finals.

The Blitzboks later celebrated claiming the season's biggest prize.

"I hope it inspires them. I hope that we continue to unite our country with sport," an emotional David Brits told RugbyPass in Bordeaux.

"We've seen what the Springboks have done for our country. We're just trying to add a little slice of the pizza so that we can all eat.

"We want our whole country to be inspired by this and the gratitude from our side for the support that we do get is astronomical. I'm forever grateful."

While New Zealand's men fell short in the final, the Black Ferns Sevens were also denied silverware in Bordeaux after losing 26-19 to Australia in the women's final.

The defeat ended another strong campaign for the New Zealand women, who again reached the final but were unable to stop an Australian side inspired by Maddison Levi's two-try performance.

Fiji's women did not feature in the title match, leaving Pacific teams to finish the season without a Bordeaux crown despite New Zealand reaching both finals.

For more on the SVSN World Championships, visit https://www.svns.com/en/events/bordeaux