HSBC SVNS Cape Town 2023

The HSBC SVNS Cape Town 2023 is the second leg of the new HSBC SVNS Series and takes place at the DHL Stadium from 9-10 December with all to play for. The Blitzboks men and Australian women will be looking to back up their impressive wins in the opening round in Dubai.

Victory at the 2023 Emirates Dubai SVNS saw the South African men record a fifth consecutive title in Dubai beating an impressive Argentinean team 12-7, while the Australian women cemented their monicker as “Queens of the desert” by beating NZ 26-19 to win their record 4th straight title.

The sights now turn to Cape Town as the 24 teams will join the two-day festivities as the city will offer incredible food, and non-stop music including live performances from DJ Zinhle, Jack Parow, Sun El-Musician and more.

Rugby Asia 247 is excited to be in Cape Town as it will be our first Cape Town SVNS – stay tuned!

HSBC SVNS Cape Town Pools – Women

Image Credit: HSBS SVNS

• Pool A: Australia, Fiji, Japan, Spain
• Pool B: New Zealand, Ireland, Brazil, Great Britain
• Pool C: France, Canada, USA, South Africa

The Springbok Women’s Sevens, playing as a core team for the first time, finished in 10th position in Dubai after being beaten by the sole Asian representation this season, the Japan Sakura 7s who earned 9th place. The Japanese were poor on Saturday, losing all three matches, but turned it around with wins over GB and SA. The Japanese will face Australia, Fiji, and Spain in Pool A.

Australia’s captain Charlotte Caslick, Maddison Levi and their teammates (Levi broke her own record of tries in Dubai) will be a handful for any team to try and stop, and they have fond memories of Cape Town as they were crowned Sevens World Champions there in 2022.

Japan’s Sakura Mizutani races away from the South Africa defence for a try on day two of the Emirates Dubai 7s at the Sevens Stadium on 3 December 2023 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Photo credit: Mike Lee – KLC fotos for World Rugby

Pool B features losing finalists in Dubai, NZ, as well as Ireland, Brazil and GB. The NZ women’s loss in the Dubai final was their first in an incredible 41 matches, going back to their loss in the Dubai final in 2022.

The South Africans were great value, pushing NZ and Fiji all the way in Dubai, but they made costly errors to deny some famous wins, however, the experience will be invaluable as they set their sights on a home tournament. They compete in Pool C with France and Canada, who were losing semi-finalists in Dubai, and the USA who made it into the last eight.

Springbok Women’s Sevens forward Rights Mkhari said, “We have always played here courtesy of being the hosts, but this time around, we will compete as a core team in the 2024 HSBC SVNS and that makes a huge difference to us. Our own event will not be a once-off opportunity for us and we will come into this as best prepared as we have ever been.

She added, “We are also going to be very competitive, we showed that in Dubai this weekend. Imagine having a huge crowd supporting us in Cape Town. I am calling on all to come and support us, it will mean so much for our squad.”

HSBC SVNS Cape Town Pools – Men

Image Credit: HSBS SVNS

• Pool A: South Africa, Ireland, USA, Great Britain
• Pool B: Argentina, Fiji, France, Spain
• Pool C: New Zealand, Samoa, Australia, Canada

The Blitzboks were in Dubai without Head Coach, Sandile Ngcobo, who missed the trip for medical reasons, and the squad is looking forward to trying to go back-to-back this SVNS Series in Cape Town.

Assistant Coach Philip Snyman said, “We had a very good pre-season and the guys showed that they were ready to play six tough matches. The way they worked, based on defence, also showed their willingness to work off the ball and cover each other’s backs and that is a wonderful thing for coaches to see.” The South Africans are pooled with Ireland, the USA, and GB in Pool A.

Losing finalists in Dubai, Argentina, will face Fiji, France, and Spain in Pool B. Argentina 37-year-old Gastón Revol could be playing his 100th sevens tournament in South Africa.

NZ claimed bronze in Dubai beating Fiji and will compete with Samoa, Australia, and Canada in Pool C. All Black Sevens Fehi Fineanganofo said; “The boys were a bit disappointed with the semi-final. We just wanted to pick up. I think we did.”

All of the results from Dubai as well as the fixtures for Cape Town SVNS can be found here.

Match Officials – HSBC SVNS

The Emirates Match Official Panels can be found here for HSBC SVNS 2023-2024. From Asia, Craig Chan (HKCR) and Ano Kuwai (JRFU) are both involved.

For The Fans –  Cape Town SVNS 2023

• BOKS OFFICE –  Hosts Hanyani Shimange and Jean De Villiers offer behind-the-scenes access at what will be their first-ever live show.
• Live Music – A range of local music will be on show in the “Mother City” with acts confirmed on Saturday and Sunday.
• Food Markets – Fusing together the best of local South African cuisines, art and music, there will be plenty for fans in Cape Town to enjoy!

A full guide of streaming and broadcast channels is available here for watching the HSBC SVNS Cape Town 2023. RugbyPassTV is shown as the partner for Asia.

Rugby Sevens News

• Emirates Dubai 7s 2023.
• Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2024.
• Asian Rugby Sevens Teams Confirmed – 2024 Challenger Series.
• Global Youth Sevens 2023 – Japan’s U18 Girls SDS Confirmed.