neil powell

South African Sevens coach Neil Powell has produced a positive Covid-19 result and has been admitted to an isolation facility in Kagashimo where the squad are currently in at a pre-Tokyo Olympics training camp.

Seven talking points as South Africa head for the Hong Kong Sevens Quarter finals

South Africa have never won the title In Hong Kong, but they’re the team to beat this season.

neil powell

South African Sevens coach Neil Powell has produced a positive Covid-19 result and has been admitted to an isolation facility in Kagashimo where the squad are currently in at a pre-Tokyo Olympics training camp.

By Oliver Pickup

@oliverpickup  

Hong Kong Sevens is the tournament everyone on the circuit really wants to win. The Asian venue is the sport’s mecca and spiritual home, and on Friday the 42nd edition kicked off, with Neil Powell’s South Africa team – runaway leaders in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series – looking to end their hoodoo. Here are seven key talking points on the eve of this year’s eagerly awaited competition.

1. Can anyone catch South Africa?

With six rounds of the 10-stop Sevens Series gone the Blitzboks look uncatchable. They have reached every final so far, and won all but two. South Africa have amassed a colossal 126 points, which is 23 more than second-placed England, and 26 better than reigning Olympic, Sevens Series and Hong Kong champions Fiji.

2. Blitzboks yet to win at sport’s mecca

South Africa have never won in Hong Kong, surprisingly. Powell’s side reached the last two finals, only to lose out to New Zealand and Fiji respectively. Can they break their duck, and make it third-time lucky this weekend?

3. Fiji reign in Hong Kong

Fiji, by contrast, have won on the most occasions: 16. With Hong Kong effectively the Fijians’ home leg, if South Africa do finally triumph it would represent a significant switch of power, and will all but confirm their second overall Sevens Series crown, and first since 2009.

4. England emerge as biggest rivals

England are the only team to have beaten the Blitzboks this term – and unfortunately for South Africa both those defeats have occurred in finals; firstly in Cape Town (19-17) and then Vancouver (19-7), the most recent leg. The English themselves are seeking to halt a disappointing run in Hong Kong, with the last of their four titles sealed 11 years ago.

5. Consistency critical to glory

Simon Amor, England’s head coach, was able to select the same 12-man squad for the first five rounds of the Sevens Series – a world record. The 37-year-old former national team captain (who was central to all four of his country’s Hong Kong victories in 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2006) has said that his players have been able to develop the team’s style as a result. South Africa, conversely, will not be able to select their strongest side, with a number of players currently injured.

6. Sevens bigger and better

This edition is expected to be the most-watched Hong Kong Sevens, with it being the first after the game’s hugely successful debut at the Olympic Games last August. World Rugby estimates almost 17 million new rugby fans were generated thanks to the action in Rio de Janeiro, and some 120,000 visitors are due to revel in the three-day event.

7. Hong Kong larger than ever

Hong Kong Sevens – sponsored by HSBC and Cathay Pacific – is billed as being “where the world comes to play”, and it’s certainly true that it is the largest on the circuit, with 28 teams competing. Including the HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series Qualifier, a total of 40 international sides will be in action.