Change in format brings more jeopardy to Cape Town Sevens

A change in format for the Cape Town Sevens tournament this weekend means jeopardy is very real and there will be no place for slip-ups as quarterfinals have been abolished and only the pool winners will advance to the semifinals on day two of the competition.

The massive change, said to be implemented for player welfare in back-to-back competitions, sees pools limited to three teams and not four as normally the case.

With no back door to get to the semis, this mean sides will need to win both their games to advance.

And that makes things extremely difficult in a high-pressure environment where one slip-up can be severely costly for teams this weekend.

Hey, fancy another one? 🤩

Still not over Dubai and we’re coming straight for you Cape Town 🇿🇦#HSBCSVNS | #HSBCSVNSCPT pic.twitter.com/cKO5qqS9dk
— HSBC SVNS (@SVNSSeries) December 2, 2024

The Springbok Sevens side, who finished sixth in Dubai last weekend, relinquishing their title for the first time in six years, are drawn with two tricky sides in Argentina, who won the SVNS series last season and Ireland, who have beaten the Blitzboks before.

According to a source, the format in Cape Town, which features four pools of three teams, has been introduced following consultation with stakeholders, including teams, and is based on player welfare considerations.

It will be implemented for the second rounds of ‘back-to-back’ events, so in Cape Town and Singapore, which are played on the weekends immediately following the events in Dubai and Hong Kong respectively.

The competition format is optimal for a two-day event, which allows teams an extra day of recovery and preparation following the previous weekend’s event and subsequent travel.

The four pool winners will progress to the cup semifinals. The second placed teams will enter the 5th-8th place playoffs and the third placed teams the 9th-12th place playoffs.

Basically, more than ever it means every match counts.

This also means that Springbok Sevens fans will only see their team in action twice on day one, and a maximum of two matches on day two, something that is sure to be contentious with fans.

Dubai champions Fiji (men) and Australia (women) are in Pool A, with the respective runners up, Spain and New Zealand, headlining Pool B.

🏉 Coach’s Orders! 🗣️#Blitzboks coach Philip Snyman has one request: Come to the @CapeTown7s! 🌍🔥

Be part of the action and join the biggest party in town! 🎉 An unforgettable weekend of world-class rugby and entertainment awaits. 🌴

🎟️ Get your tickets now from Ticketmaster.… pic.twitter.com/H6FsrElfCB
— Springbok Sevens (@Blitzboks) December 3, 2024