South Africa stood in the way of Fiji's bid to win a first IRB sevens title of the season in the Las Vegas round of the international series.
The South Africans won their first title in two years as they beat Fiji 24-14 in the final..
On the way to their first final of the season Fiji beat the reigning champions, Samoa, in the quarter-finals and series co-leaders, New Zealand, in the semi-final.
The Fiji Rugby sevens' coach lliesa Tanivula says he's pleased with the improvement shown in his players, who were motivated by criticism at home.
"The young guys they really put a lot of effort, we've had a lot of critics back home and I guess it really got to the guys and it didn't do any good to the boys but I guess in the other way it sort of motivated us and to just get out there and improve and we did improve .'"
Fiji currently lie fourth overall in the standings behind third placed Samoa.