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Fiji have been crowned champions of the Hong Kong leg of the IRB World Sevens Series after notching up a tense 26-24 victory over South Africa in the Cup final.

The result propels the islanders into the overall reckoning, but it is South Africa who ended the day at the top of the series standings.

Fiji led throughout a pulsating final thanks to Burotu , Vucago (2) and Osea Kolinisau 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 had to wait since the Adelaide tournament in April 2007 before claiming this most recent success on the IRB Sevens World Series.

England's hopes of winning a fifth Cup in eight years at the Hong Kong leg of the IRB World Sevens Series were dashed after they were dumped out at the quarter-final stage in a 10-7 defeat to Fiji with the hugely impressive Tuwai going in at the death.

Iliesa Tanivula's new crop of Fijian talents reversed their 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 once again 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. They booked their passage to their second successive Hong Kong 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.
Perhaps the biggest shock of the day was Kenya beating a disappointing New Zealand in the the quarter-finals. The New Zealanders went ahead early on through Zar Lawrence, but two tries from Innocent Simiyu brought Kenya back for a famous win.

South Africa are now clear at the top on 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.

Last gasp Tonga beat Canada to Plate title

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.

Portugal take Bowl title

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.

The Series moves to Adelaide next week for the next leg of the IRB Sevens World Series.

Day 3 – As it Happened