Vancouver Sevens: Blitzboks in spotlight

Published on

Defending champions and overall series leaders, the pressure is on the Blitzboks to bounce back at the Canada Sevens this weekend.

South Africa were winners in Vancouver in 2021, and arrived this week as series leaders with 98 points ahead of Australia and Argentina, who are level in second place on 83 points.

The Blitzboks were beaten Cup quarter-finalists last weekend in Singapore, after their impressive 36-match winning run was ended by USA during the pool phase.

SA, who won the first four rounds prior to Singapore, will face stiff competition in Pool C. Australia have reached the medal podium in three of the five rounds in the series, while hosts Canada will be looking to draw inspiration from the crowd, with Spain completing the lineup.

Olympic champions Fiji and Rugby World Cup Sevens winners New Zealand, who contested a thrilling gold-medal match in Singapore, will be looking to continue their fine return to action after missing earlier events due to travel restrictions.

Fresh from their victory in Singapore, Fiji will face USA, Kenya and England in Pool A.

New Zealand will be looking to repeat their gold-medal success in Vancouver in 2020 and take on Samoa, Wales and Japan in Pool B.

Ireland were impressive to finish fourth in Singapore and are drawn with Argentina, France and Scotland in a very competitive Pool D.

Post by

Devin Hermanus