Uruguay shock Fiji with one of the biggest upsets in SVNS Series history

SVNS Perth is off to an incredible start with Uruguay shocking Fiji 24-17 with what “may just be the biggest upset in SVNS Series history.” Uruguay were hammered 70-7 by the Fijians in Cape Town last month but made history on Friday with a stunning result.

After Fiji’s title win in the HSBC SVNS Series season-opening event in Dubai, the rugby world looked to the season’s second leg in Cape Town. During a Pool A clash, Fiji made their mark with one of the biggest victories in SVNS Series history.

The SVNS Series social media page released a nearly four-minute compilation of Fiji’s barrage of tries as they recorded a dominant win over Uruguay, who had only recently been promoted from the second-tier Challenger Series.

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But that was then, and this is now. On a hot morning at Perth’s HBF Park, the Uruguayans struggled early as they fell behind 17-nil. Fiji appeared to be in cruise control, and it seemed a very real possibility that they would once again hand their opponents a heavy defeat.

Uruguay didn’t throw in the towel though, with Dante Soto diving on a loose ball just before the half-time break to give the underdogs a glimmer of hope. Ignacio Facciolo, Dante Soto and Juan Manuel Tafernaberry all scored during the second term as an all-time upset brewed.

Pedro Hoblog completes the comeback for @Teros7s 🔥#HSBCSVNS | #HSBCSVNSPER pic.twitter.com/A1mts6SDFw

— HSBC SVNS (@SVNSSeries) January 24, 2025

UN-BE-LIEVABLE 😱@Teros7s secure an outstanding win over Fiji 🌟#HSBCSVNS | #HSBCSVNSPER pic.twitter.com/RIJPdOpzbv

— HSBC SVNS (@SVNSSeries) January 24, 2025

Then, Pedro Hoblog fought his way to the try line in the 13^th minute to all but seal the deal. Down by seven, Fiji still had a chance of drawing the teams level after winning the restart, but a knock-on with less than 30 seconds to play was key.

Uruguay ended up kicking the ball touch, although it only just made it to the sideline, to officially etch this result into the history books.

“It may just be the biggest upset in SVNS Series history,” commentator Sean Maloney exclaimed. “Uruguay come back from 17 down after losing by 70 to Fiji in their last matchup. They have stunned the number one seeds here in Perth. Unbelievable from Uruguay!

“I don’t know (if) the enormity of the achievement has sunk in just yet. Wow. New Zealand and Uruguay get us started in Perth with a couple of wins and Fiji and Kenya find themselves on the wrong side of those results.”

Earlier on the opening day, New Zealand had to do it the hard way as they avoided what would’ve been a tough upset early on themselves. Kenya gave it absolutely everything but the All Blacks Sevens pulled away to win 29-14.

Frank Vaenuku scored his first try on the SVNS Series. Vaenuku got the better of a Kenyan defender with a strong fend before racing away to score – and the All Black Sevens flyer was in the thick of the action early on.

But with George Ooro Angeyo hitting back for the Kenyans in the sixth minute, it was well and truly game on. Patrick Odongo Okong’o scored about a minute into the second half before SVNS Series veteran Regan Ware hit back for the New Zealanders.

Andrew Knewstubb crawled over the try line to put the All Blacks Sevens into a prime position for a win before Cody Vai and Ngarohi McGarvey-Black helped ensure the win. While 15 points separated the two sides at full-time, the match was much closer than that suggests.

With Uruguay, Fiji, New Zealand and Kenya all drawn in Pool C, these two results have already set the stage for a pool of death at SVNS Perth. New Zealand will face Fiji on day two – at 12:22 pm local time – which could prove crucial.