Fiji’s rugby sevens team ensured they would secure the nation’s first ever Olympic medal after beating Japan 20-5 to reach the final of the men’s tournament yesterday.

The Pacific islanders were due to face Britain in the gold medal match last night after the team made up of English, Scottish and Welsh players beat South Africa 7-5 in the second semi-final at the Deodoro Stadium.

World series champions and top seeds, the Fijians put on a sevens masterclass to end Japan’s run at a tournament they entered ranked 10th out of the 12 teams.

Vatemo Ravouvou scored the first of Fiji’s four tries on their second possession but immediately gave Japan a glimmer of hope by being sin-binned for a no-arms tackle.

Teruya Goto put on the after-burners to make the most of the extra space to touch down for Japan and level the scores at 5-5 but Josua Tuisova was soon brushing aside a series of tacklers to score his fourth try of the tournament.

Fiji’s third try was their best as they advanced down the pitch, slinging the ball between each other and almost toying with the Japanese defenders before Leone Nakarawa touched down.

With the Fijians doling out physical punishment to anyone in a red shirt, Japan’s Lomano Lemeki tried to fight fire with fire and put in a big hit of his own, only to be sent to the sin-bin for a dangerous tackle.

That left the Fijians with even more space and Jerry Tuwai all but ensure they would be in the final.

The second semi was more evenly matched and South Africa opened the scoring early in the first half when Kyle Brown grabbed a loose ball and won a race to the line with Britain’s Mark Bennett.

The British struck back at the restart when Dan Norton scored a try that Tom Mitchell converted to give his side a two-point lead they never relinquished.