A last-gasp try from Lucas Lacamp gave the Men’s Eagles a stunning 17-14 win over Fiji in the 5th place final at the Bordeaux Sevens on Sunday. The result earned the USA 8th place on the overall championship table, just one point ahead of Kenya, and secured their return to core status for the 2026-27 circuit.
The Eagles had to earn their return to the top flight after being forced to compete in the second division of the redesigned series. They topped that division, finishing just ahead of Kenya, but after finishing 12th and 9th respectively in Hong Kong and Valladolid looked destined to miss out on core status again. Zack Test’s charges will now have renewed confidence as they look to build towards the 2028 Olympic Games, to be hosted in Los Angeles.
Kenya are left heartbroken, while Great Britain are relegated from core status. Germany and Uruguay finished at the bottom of the Championship table. South Africa claim the overall title with New Zealand runners-up and Spain achieving an historic third place. Australia, Argentina, Fiji, and France round out the top eight who will compete on the main circuit next season.
Though they did not achieve a podium finish this season, Los Pumas are represented on the official series Dream Team with Luciano González Rizzoni the lone selection from the Americas. South Africa’s Tristan Leyds was named Player of the Year, and is joined by teammate Shilton van Wyk, Spain’s Jeremy Trevithick, Henry Hutchison of Australia, and Fiji duo Vuiviwa Naduvalo and Terio Veilawa.
CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
1 South Africa
2 New Zealand
3 Spain
4 Australia
5 Argentina
6 Fiji
7 France
8 USA
9 Kenya
10 Great Britain
11 Germany
12 Uruguay
DREAM TEAM
Tristan Leyds (South Africa) – Player of the Year
Shilton van Wyk (South Africa)
Jeremy Trevithick (Spain)
Henry Hutchison (Australia)
Vuiviwa Naduvalo (Fiji)
Terio Veilawa (Fiji)
Luciano González (Argentina)