The Blitzboks finished 13th in Los Angeles to end second overall in the final 2022 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series standings. Photo: Mike Lee – KLC fotos for World Rugby
Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022: The full fixtures schedule
The men’s and women’s Rugby World Cup Sevens tournaments in Cape Town will both operate on a straight knockout format.
The Blitzboks finished 13th in Los Angeles to end second overall in the final 2022 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series standings. Photo: Mike Lee – KLC fotos for World Rugby
The men’s and women’s Rugby World Cup Sevens tournaments in Cape Town will both operate on a straight knockout format.
Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 will get underway at 08:45 on Friday, when Ireland take on Portugal in the men’s pre-round of 16 at the Cape Town Stadium.
Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022
New Zealand head into Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 as the defending champions in both the men’s and women’s tournaments.
All Blacks Sevens coach Clark Laidlaw knows that his side must be ready for the challenges posed by an array of teams in a dangerous knockout format.
“The World Cup is unlike any other tournament. Only playing four games across three days; there is a lot of downtime where you could over-think things so getting that balance right is important,” Laidlaw said.
“Some of our fondest memories are tournaments in South Africa, they have passionate fans. If we come up against South Africa you won’t find a more hostile environment – we’re excited to get there.”
Blitzboks Photo: Mike Lee – KLC fotos for World Rugby
The Blitzboks will only learn their first opponents on the day with Germany and Chile battling for the right to take on the hosts in the Round of 16.
“Due to the format of the Rugby World Cup Sevens and us being one of the top eight seeded teams, we only play in the second round of the tournament,” said Blitzboks flyer Muller Du Plessis, who played in his first and only Cape Town Sevens in 2019.
“For us, it is perfect not knowing whether we will face Germany or Chile, as it will allow us to focus on our own preparations. We know what we need to do and when we focus on our own game and not worry about the opponents, it works best for us.
“It is finally here. We have focussed on each tournament on merit, so the focus was on the World Series first, then the Commonwealth Games and then back to the World Series. Now it is the Rugby World Cup Sevens, and it is here, only four days to go.
“It is great being back in Cape Town. Ever since we arrived at the hotel with a great reception by the staff, we are feeling the vibe surrounding the Rugby World Cup Sevens. It is just amazing to experience, even at this early stage of the tournament. I can just imagine how it will be on Friday when the tournament actually starts.”
Portugal (24)
Zimbabwe (23)
Uganda (22)
Jamaica (21)
Tonga (20)
South Korea (19)
Uruguay (18)
Chile (17)
Madagascar
Poland
China
Japan
Brazil
Spain
Colombia
