Table Mountain gathering launches latest Sevens Challenger Series

The slopes of the iconic Table Mountain provided the backdrop for the launch of the two-legged World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series, which takes place over the next two weekends at Markotter Stadium in Stellenbosch. All 24 teams were represented by 12 men’s and 12 women’s captains when they gathered at Gardens Rugby Club for the series that runs from April 20-22 to April 28-30.

A World Rugby statement read: “Three days of intense competition at the first event at Markotter Stadium will kick-off on Thursday at 09:00 local time (GMT +2) when Belgium faces Papua New Guinea and Madagascar takes on Mexico in women’s pool F and E action respectively.

“The ultimate prize at stake for the tournament winners in the women’s competition, which will be decided on aggregate points over the two events, is promotion to the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2024 as the 12th and final team. Hosts South Africa have been drawn against Madagascar, Mexico, and Czechia in Pool E.

“The Challenger Series was introduced in 2020 to boost rugby sevens’ development across the globe and provide a pathway for promotion to the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series. The men's Challenger Series 2020 featured two rounds, both played in South America.

“Japan’s men’s team gained promotion following the inaugural pair of events and, following a year break due to the global pandemic, Japan women and Uruguay men won the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series 2022 to earn core status on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2023.

“Germany headline the men’s Pool A and are joined by Tonga, Zimbabwe and Belgium. 2022 hosts and third-place finishers Chile will be looking to improve from last year and go for the top spot. They will take on Hong Kong China, Papua New Guinea and Italy in Pool B. In Pool C, Uganda are joined by Korea, Jamaica and Brazil.

“The winner of the men’s competition, which will also be decided on aggregate points over the two events, will enter a four-team playoff at the HSBC London Sevens in May 2023 together with the teams placed 12th–14th after 10 rounds of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series. The winner of the playoff will achieve the coveted Sevens World Series 2024 status.”

South Africa women’s captain Mathrin Simmers said: “The World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series is very important for us, especially because we want to play in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series and play against the best players in the world. If we win this and qualify, it will open doors for younger girls to come through and just to build women’s rugby in South Africa.”

Tonga men’s captain Sione Tupou added: “South Africa is really beautiful and we’re very grateful to be here. Our preparation has been good and the boys are well prepared. Tonga have never played in the World Series. So for us, it’s a huge opportunity for us to win this tournament so that we can also open doors to the younger generation back at home.”