Cape Town is the second stop on the 2024-25 SVNS tour this weekend as the 26th annual series of the short-format game hits South Africa. The tour runs from November through June this season, with the only tournament played so far being the season opener last weekend in Dubai.
This year’s tour features 12 teams, a new format, and – with their win in the Middle East – an old favorite looking to be back to their best. Here is our preview of the 2024 Cape Town SVNS.
2023 Cape Town 7s Recap
After winning in Dubai in early December, the Blitzboks entered the 2023 Cape Town SVNS as favorites. They rolled through their first two pool games against Great Britain and the USA before being troped up by Ireland to finish second in Pool A.
This made South Africa’s route to the final more difficult. They fell in the quarterfinals, beaten 28-0 by Australia. That Australian team would make it through to the final, losing 45-12 to Argentina in a one-sided affair. Argentina would win the next two events and finish the season as the Men’s Series table toppers before falling to an Antoine Dupont-inspired France at the Grand Final event in Madrid.
2024 Cape Town 7s Preview
2024 Cape Town 7s Odds To Win (BetXchange)
The men’s team changes saw Kenya and Uruguay promoted at the end of last season at the expense of Canada and Samoa. The more interesting change is the overall format of the event, another tweak after the number of teams competing was reduced from 16 to 12 for a more streamlined tournament last year.
The new format means teams cannot lose a game and expect to win the event. Instead of three pools of four teams, with the winner and runner-up heading to the finals bracket, there are now four pools of three. This reduces the overall workload by two games, with each pool winner heading directly into the cup semi-finals.
South Africa finished sixth in Dubai, losing the plate final to France. They are expected to be better on home soil, though the way the draw works means they are in the same pool as Dubai bronze medalists Argentina. Fiji won in Dubai, and they will be heavily backed again here, while surprise package Spain will aim to repeat their stunning silver medal performance from the season opener.
If I were to bet on this, New Zealand at 9/2 would tempt me. The format was more traditional in Dubai, but they battled through to the semi-final, where they lost to Spain. Fiji’s first cup win since 2022 means they cannot be overlooked.
2024 Hong Kong 7s: Pool Stages
Pool A
- Fiji
- Great Britain
- Uruguay
Fiji has the easiest draw after winning in Dubai. They should have no issues here against a Great Britain team that has yet to reach the level of its consistent parts.
Pool B
- Spain
- Australia
- Kenya
The Kenyans are trying to adjust to this level but will always be uber-athletic and dangerous. Spain vs. Australia will be fascinating, with the sevens world waiting to see if the Spanish are a force to be reckoned with on the circuit this season or just a one-tournament wonder.
Pool C
- Argentina
- South Africa
- Ireland
South Africa vs. Argentina might be the pick of the pool matches. The winner will advance to the cup finals, and the loser will drop into the plate bracket. The Blitzboks will be looking to the home crowd’s support to push them forward to a win here.
Pool D
- New Zealand
- France
- USA
The sevens circuit would love the USA to be a title contender, but they are not yet at that level. Watch out if New Zealand can get past France into the cup finals.
