Cape Town HSBC SVNS Series pool format confirmed 

12/02/2024 04:18 AM

NEWS: After a successful start to the 2024/5 HSBC SVNS Series in Dubai, where Australia Women and Fiji Men emerged victorious, we turn our attention to Cape Town where significant pool changes has been implemented.

Fiji recorded their first SVNS Cup Final win since Toulouse 2022 and their first in Dubai since 2016 after dispatching surprise package Spain in the decider by 19-5.

Argentina ensured of a top-three finish with their 14-0 bronze-medal win over New Zealand.

Australia Women clinched the five-peat in Dubai in a tightly contested clash against Trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand by 28-24 as France Women claimed bronze over Great Britain by 15-12.

Fiji coach Osea Kolinisau was ecstatic that his side managed to break their title drought: "It's been a long time coming," he said.

"I'm so happy for the boys. I'm so happy that we've got the monkey off our back now."

The article continues below...

Spain surprised friend and foe throughout the tournament by reaching their first ever Cup Final thanks to a superb 19-14 win over the All Blacks Sevens in the semifinal, following their quarterfinal win over Great Britain earlier in the day.

Australia dispatched Canada (39-0) and Great Britain (35-7) in the quarterfinal and semifinal respectively before emerging victorious in the Final.

Australia's new captain Isabella Nasser said: "I'm sort of lost for words," she said.

"I'm proud of the girls. We have such a tight-knit group - the young ones really showed up today and I'm sure they will for the rest of the season. The best is yet to come.

"The Black Ferns are always such a hard team [to play]. They always show up and we have such a good rivalry."

New Zealand advanced to the Final after beating Ireland in the quarterfinal by 33-12 before seeing off France by 28-14 in the semifinal.

The article continues below...

All 24 teams will travel directly for the Cape Town leg of the HSBC SVNS Series which will take place on December 7 and December 8 respectively.

A new competition format will see the 12 teams in four pools of three with the pool winners advancing directly to the semifinal for an opportunity to get a podium finish in Cape Town.

The pools for Cape Town were allocated based on rankings at the end of the Dubai tournament.

Men's pool draw

Pool B: Spain, Australia and Kenya

Pool C: Argentina, South Africa and Ireland.

Pool D: New Zealand, France and USA.

Women's pool draw

Pool B: New Zealand, Japan and China

Pool C: France, Ireland and Spain

Pool D: Great Britain, USA and Fiji