World SVNs Series

Cape Town 7s results, Pool standings and semi-final pairings

By Luvisia Amanga

Posted on December 6, 2025

South Africa huddle ahead of Dubai 7s final. PHOTO/World Rugby

Newly crowned Dubai champions New Zealand and finalists Australia both missed out on the semi-finals in Cape Town, as the new-look HSBC SVNS format took a hard toll on the teams.

Defending Cape Town champions South Africa, however had no problem booking their place in the last four, winning all three of their matches to set up a Cup decider against France on Sunday.

In the other half of the draw, a much-improved Spain were denied a last four spot on points difference, after conceding a late try against a rejuvenated Argentina to gift the South American side a crucial bonus point that meant they topped the pool and were assured a quarter-final against Fiji.

France then did more than enough to claim second in the pool, leaving last season’s Grand Final runners-up facing another minor-places play-off run.

POOL A: Three from three for hosts South Africa on day one

The third try of Shilton van Wyk’s hat-trick, after the hooter, pulled victory out of the jaws of defeat for hosts and defending champions South Africa, as they came from behind on the final play of their opening match to beat Fiji 24-21 and send the Cape Town crowd into raptures.

The Blitzboks went two for two as a thrilling score from Ronald Brown sent South Africa free and clear in their second outing of the day against New Zealand, despite twice playing with a numerical disadvantage. His touchdown meant Scott Gregory’s after-the-hooter score did not affect the result. It ended 19-14 to the hosts.

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In their last match, South Africa gave their ecstatic home fans plenty to cheer as they beat Great Britain 41-7 to take the defence of their title into the semi-finals. Sonwabo Sokoyi scored on debut, while Roan Frostwick touched down for Great Britain late on to avoid a second nilling in two tournaments.

Earlier, the first try of Riley Williams’ sevens career rounded off an opening pool phase win for New Zealand, as they beat a determined Great Britain 29-12. Frank Vaenuku had earlier scored two in quick succession for the All Blacks Sevens after Roan Frostwick had given their opponents a surprise lead.

Cape Town 7s mens’ standings. PHOTO/World Rugby

Never-say-beaten Great Britain continued to impress against Fiji, more than holding their own in an enthralling encounter, eventually going down to a Rauto Vakadranu try as they lost 21-17.

Always entertaining Fiji then booked their place in the last four with a 35-5 win over New Zealand, courtesy of doubles from Viwa Naduvalo and Terio Veilawa.

A few days in Cape Town appeared to Dubai eighth-place finishers Argentina plenty of good. Luciano Gonzalez and Matteo Graziano scored two apiece as they beat Dubai finalists Australia 36-0.

Ali Dabo’s late try banked an early 19-14 win for France over Spain as temperatures soared in Cape Town. But they could not repeat their record-breaking heroics in Dubai against Argentina, succumbing to a Luciano Gonzalez-inspired 24-19 loss.

Pool B was thrown wide open, however, when Spain beat Australia 19-17, despite a brace for Dietrich Roache.

Argentina did just enough to make certain they qualified for the last four — Eliseo Morales scoring the crucial try with the second-half clock in the red to ensure they got the point they needed, despite losing 31-26 against a rejuvenated Spain. Jeremy Trevithick scored three for the European side.

A double for France’s Liam Delamare in the last Pool B match sent Les Bleus through to the semi-finals at Spain’s expense, as they beat Australia 29-10, to avenge their semi-final defeat in Dubai.

Cape Town 7s results

Saturday, 6 December 2025 – Pool Matches

Women’s Tournament

Pool A

Fiji 7s 7 – 15 USA 7s
New Zealand 7s 38 – 10 Great Britain 7s
Fiji 7s 40 – 0 Great Britain 7s
New Zealand 7s 38 – 12 USA 7s
USA 7s 31 – 17 Great Britain 7s
New Zealand 7s 31 – 19 Fiji 7s

Pool B

Japan 7s 26 – 19 Canada 7s
Australia 7s 41 – 0 France 7s
Japan 7s 19 – 29 France 7s
Australia 7s 26 – 19 Canada 7s
Canada 7s 12 – 31 France 7s
Australia 7s 36 – 5 Japan 7s

Men’s Tournament