On 27th RWC win anniversary: Bok captain Pienaar excited about Sevens World Cup

On the 27th anniversary of the Springboks winning the Rugby World Cup for the first time on this day in 1995, then Bok captain Francois Pienaar has revealed his excitement about South Africa hosting another World Cup event – the Sevens.

In 77 days from Friday South Africa, who hosted the 1995 World Cup, will host the World Rugby Sevens World Cup in Cape Town.

From 9 to 11 September, the 40 best men’s and women’s rugby Sevens teams will be in action in the Mother City as they try to claim silverware that is only played for once every four years.

New Zealand will defend both the men’s and women’s titles they won in San Francisco in 2018, and they will be joined by the Blitzboks and Springbok Women’s Sevens team, as well as 22 other men’s and 14 other women’s teams.

Pienaar, who lives in Cape Town, said he is excited about the prospect of a packed stadium watching the some of the best athletes in action.

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“It’s the first Rugby World Cup we will host since 1995 and I for one can’t wait to support the Blitzboks and Springbok Women’s Sevens teams in Cape Town in September,” said Pienaar on Friday.

“The Rugby World Cup Sevens will be a momentous occasion when the eyes of the rugby world will be on South Africa.

“I would like to wish all the teams – but especially our two sides in Green and Gold – all the best for the tournament, when we will yet again show the world what a wonderful country we live in, and what can be achieved when we stand together as South Africans.”

Sevens qualified teams

The top eight men’s teams and top four women’s teams from the hugely successful RWC Sevens 2018 in San Francisco, USA, have already secured automatic qualification for the tournament in 2022, as well as the Springbok Women’s Sevens team, as host nation.

The qualified teams for the men’s event are defending champions New Zealand, England, the Blitzboks, Fiji, Argentina, USA, France, and Scotland. Amongst the women’s teams, South Africa will join defending champions New Zealand, France, Australia and USA in Cape Town.

Apart from the pre-qualified sides, other teams that have qualified include African sides Madagascar (women), Uganda, Zimbabwe and Kenya (men), the Canadian men and women’s teams, as well as men’s teams from Australia, Samoa, Tonga, Jamaica, Hong Kong, South Korea, Uruguay and Chile, and women’s teams from Fiji, Japan, China, Brazil and Colombia.

Tickets for the opening day (Friday 9 September) – as well as very limited tickets for the other two days – are still available from Ticketmaster, while information on suites and hospitality packages are available via email at hospitality@sarugbyevents.co.za.

Hospitality packages start at R3,795 for a one-day experience and include full day catering, private bars, exclusive viewing suites, hostess service and gifts. Details of tour and travel packages through SA Rugby Travel can be found on sarugbytravel.com.

Supporters wishing to receive updated information directly to their inbox can sign up for the Rugby World Cup Sevens Newsletter at rwcsevens.com/signup.