With just one more sleep before the Mother City erupts in gees, the DHL Stadium fills with fans – local, regional and international alike – and the kick-off of the official Rugby World Cup Sevens commences; we thought it time to give you all the much-needed low down to stay afloat amidst the rugby-rich conversations that will be had over this weekend.
Also read: Shuttles, Fan Walk, and traffic: all the rugby Sevens info
All 40 international team captains lined up in front of our majestic Table Mountain on Wednesday as excitement reaches fever pitch ahead of the highly-anticipated Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 set to take place this weekend, 9 to 11 September with kick-off at 08.45 on Friday.
THAT… is a lot of captains ? #RWC7s #HereToSevens pic.twitter.com/W2nrE9x6dE
— Rugby World Cup 7s 2022 (@WorldRugby7s) September 7, 2022
Flash course:
We know how infectious general rugby gees can be, but when there’s a game, tournament, series, the World Cup and what have you happening right here in Cape Town, well the gees that spreads throughout the city is essentially inescapable – even if you’re not into Rugby at all.
So, the party part of the Rugby Sevens we’re pretty sure you have down. The rugby part, however, we can help with just enough basics to get you through the weekend.
Here’s all you need to know:
- Rugby Sevens is an Olympic sport, did you know that?
- The Blitzboks is actually a nickname for the official Springbok Sevens team (no, it’s not their actual team name, who knew?)
- This weekend will be the first senior Rugby World Cup hosted in South Africa since 1995.
- The tournament is a straight knockout format.
- Friday is the Pre-Round of 16, Saturday is the Bowl Quarter Finals, and Sunday has a whole bunch of Bowl places, Challenges, Champion places, and finals.
- England won the inaugural Sevens World Cup tournament at Murrayfield in 1993.
- There have been seven previous editions of Rugby World Cup Sevens.
- The women’s competition has been running since 2009. Australia won the first women’s event in Dubai.
- In the last two Rugby World Cup Sevens, New Zealand has doubled up in both competitions. This makes them the reigning champions.
- If you really want to seem like you know what’s going on, mention how Ryan Oosthuizen and Asisipho Plaatjies are missing in the squads.
Check out the final squads:
Springbok Sevens squad
- Coach: Neil Powell
- Captain: Siviwe Soyizwapi
- RWC Sevens 2018: 3rd place
- HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2022 final placing: 2
Springbok Women’s Sevens squad
- Coach: Paul Delport
- Captain: Mathrin Simmersand Sizo Solontsi
- RW Sevens 2018: 14th place
- HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2022 final placing: 16
Also read:
Grassroots tournament aims to develop rugby players on the Cape Flats
Picture: @WorldRugby7s /Twitter