Everything You Need to Know About Cape Town 7s 2024: New Format, Pools, and More
The highly anticipated Cape Town 7s is set to take place on December 7-8, marking the second round of the HSBC SVNS series for 2024. Following thrilling action in Dubai last weekend, fans can expect another spectacular showcase of world-class rugby sevens at the iconic DHL Stadium.
Highlights from Dubai and What’s Ahead in Cape Town
Australia and Fiji currently lead the HSBC SVNS standings for women and men respectively, after securing gold in Dubai. With stars from the Paris 2024 Olympics joining the tournament, fans will witness exceptional speed, skill, and athleticism from some of the best rugby players worldwide.
This event is particularly special for South African supporters as the Blitzboks, the men’s Olympic bronze medalists, aim to shine on home soil. The tournament also features fresh talent, with 91 players making their series debut last weekend.
Introducing a New Competition Format
The Cape Town 7s will debut a fresh competition structure. Teams are divided into four pools of three, with pool winners advancing directly to the semi-finals. The new format aims to optimize player welfare, especially during consecutive tournament weekends like Dubai-Cape Town and Hong Kong-Singapore.
Teams finishing second and third in their pools will play for positions five to twelve. This structure ensures every match counts, making the tournament more competitive from start to finish.
Pool Allocations for Cape Town 7s
Men’s Pools
- Pool A: Fiji, Great Britain, Uruguay
- Pool B: Spain, Australia, Kenya
- Pool C: Argentina, South Africa, Ireland
- Pool D: New Zealand, France, USA
Women’s Pools
- Pool A: Australia, Canada, Brazil
- Pool B: New Zealand, Japan, China
- Pool C: France, Ireland, Spain
- Pool D: Great Britain, USA, Fiji
What Players Are Saying
Australia women’s captain Isabella Nasser expressed her team’s excitement:
“Coming off our victory in Dubai, we’re confident but know there’s room for improvement. Cape Town’s energy is unmatched, and we’re ready to give back to the crowd on the field.”
South Africa men’s co-captain Zain Davids emphasized the significance of playing on home turf:
“The Cape Town crowd brings a unique ‘gees’ that no other stadium can match. We owe it to our fans to deliver something special.”
Road to the World Championship
Cape Town 7s is part of a revamped HSBC SVNS series featuring six regular-season events across global destinations, including Dubai, Perth, Vancouver, Hong Kong, and Singapore. The top eight teams will proceed to the World Championship in Los Angeles, where the ultimate champions will be crowned.
Los Angeles will also host promotion and relegation play-offs, adding another layer of intensity to the competition.
With thrilling matches, cultural festivities, and equal representation for men’s and women’s teams, Cape Town 7s promises to be an unforgettable experience for rugby enthusiasts everywhere.
Stay tuned and get ready to cheer for your favorite teams this weekend!
Bet on the Cape Town Sevens with SportPesa!