World Rugby has explained the reasoning behind a revamped competition format for the upcoming Cape Town 7s and Singapore 7s tournaments.
The Rugby governing body says they are keen to enhance player welfare and intensify the stakes in every match.
Cape Town 7s format
This new approach will see a shift from the traditional three pools of four teams each to four pools of three teams each with the winners of each pool heading to semis direct.
Kenya 7s huddle in the Cape Town 7s. Photo Courtesy/ World 7s Series.
The format will debut at the Cape Town 7s, the second leg of the HSBC SVNS series, and will also be applied at the Singapore 7s, following extensive consultation with teams and other stakeholders.
“HSBC SVNS Cape Town sees the introduction of a new competition format featuring four pools of three teams, with the pool winners proceeding directly to the semi-finals,” World Rugby announced in a statement.
“Teams finishing second in their pools will compete in the fifth to eighth place play-offs, while those finishing third will play off for ninth to twelfth positions.”
“This format is based on player welfare considerations and follows consultation with teams and other stakeholders. It has been designed for the second rounds of ‘back-to-back’ events in Cape Town and Singapore, which follow Dubai and Hong Kong respectively, to optimize recovery and preparation time,” the statement added.
The streamlined format, ideal for a two-day event, prioritizes player well-being and ensures every match has heightened significance.
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Teams now have an extra day to recover and prepare following the grueling schedule and intercontinental travel.
For the Cape Town 7s, pools were determined based on rankings after the Dubai leg.
Cape Town 7s pools
The men’s competition sees Fiji, the Dubai champions, in Pool A alongside Great Britain and Uruguay. Spain, runners-up in Dubai, headline Pool B with Australia and Kenya. Pool C includes Argentina, hosts South Africa, and Ireland, while Pool D features New Zealand, Olympic champions France, and the USA.
Kenya 7s Kevin Wekesa breaks through the Argentina defense on day three of the HSBC Cape Town 7s at Cape Town Stadium on 11 December, 2022. Photo credit: Mike Lee – KLC fotos for World Rugby
In the women’s competition, Dubai champions Australia lead Pool A with Canada and Brazil. Olympic champions New Zealand headline Pool B with Japan and China, while Pool C features France, Ireland, and Spain. Pool D comprises Great Britain, the USA, and Fiji.
