Fiji celebrate with the Hong Kong 7s silverware after their victory over South Africa in the tournament finale © Getty Images

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Teams: Fiji | South Africa

Picture Gallery: IRB Sevens Series 2008-09 - Hong Kong - Day 3 | IRB Sevens Series 2008-09 - Hong Kong - Day 2 | IRB Sevens Series 2008-09 - Hong Kong - Day 1

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Fiji claimed the Hong Kong 7s title with a narrow 26-24 victory over South Africa in the tournament finale.

Fiji led throughout a pulsating final 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.

South Africa now lead the race for the IRB Sevens World Series title with 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.

Emosi Vacago scored two first half tries to inspire his countrymen to a first Hong Kong title since 1999. Vucago (2) and Osea Kolinisau scored early on for the islanders, but Renfred Dazel and Robert Ebersohn hit back for the Boks to trail 19-12 at the half. They needed to score first in the second half but instead the Fijians crossed the whitewash, Seremaia Burotu capping a fine tournament with a try for a 26-12 lead. With less than two minutes remaining Vuyo Zangqa scored and then Lionel Mapoe's try at the death left Stick with a difficult conversion to tie the scores, a kick he narrowly missed to spark mass Fijian celebrations.

South Africa had won through to only their third ever Hong Kong Sevens Cup final with a 29-3 victory over Samoa in the semi-finals. 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. Frankie Horne's try initially put them ahead and they led 14-3 at the break after Robert Ebersohn's score. The Boks then laid on a Sevens masterclass, Dazel himself kicking a penalty drop goal before crossing for a try and Ryno Benjamin rounded off the scoring.

Iliesa Tanivula's new crop of Fijian talents reversed the 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 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 and Fiji overcame England 12-10.

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.

Earlier the Tongans beat off the stiff challenge of France 19-10, Sosaia Palei (2) and Ualosi Kailea scoring their tries, while in the other half of the draw the Canadians put in a typically abrasive performance to score three tries to two and win against World Champions Wales, Adam Kleeberger with a brace and Sean Duke with one.

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 and both tries by Frederico Oliveira and Joao Mirra were converted for a 14-0 lead. Ignacio Conti and Santiago Corracedo hit back for Uruguay but they were left to rue a missed conversion.

Pedro Leal earlier scored three tries against China as they claimed their place in the final with a 26-10 win against Japan, while Uruguay won through with a 28-14 victory against Zimbabwe.