The 1987 South Pacific Games, held from 8–20 December 1987 at Nouméa in New Caledonia, was the eighth edition of the South Pacific Games. Political events of the time affected the Games in 1987 and the number of competitors were down. Fiji had two military coups in 1987, and within New Caledonia itself, the Games became a focus of protest in the Kanak independence struggle. Twelve countries contested 18 sports, and the French territories of New Caledonia and French Polynesia had the largest teams, dominating the medal count, with Papua New Guinea finishing third ahead of a depleted Fijian team.
