The Fiji Airways Men’s National 7s team hopes to retain their title in Vancouver has been shattered after South Africa beat them 31-12 in their semifinal match.

Fiji will now face USA in the third place playoff.

Both sides started the match with poor handling.

It was Fiji’s Aminiasi Tuimaba who finally found space and raced away from the South Africans to score the first try after an offload from Jerry Tuwai.

South Africa replied with two tries to give them a 14-5 lead.

Fiji was trailing 14-5 at halftime.

South Africa continued to apply pressure at the start of the second half scoring another three tries to seal the win.

Jerry Tuwai scored the last try of the match for Fiji.

Fiji lacked consistency in defence and was starved of possession by South Africa.

Fiji will play USA in the bronze final at 12.52pm.

The Cup final will kick off at 1.19pm.

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