Captains set for sold-out HSBC Cape Town Sevens

A sold-out Cape Town Stadium will be rocking this coming weekend as the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2018 arrives in South Africa.

Tickets for the third edition of the HSBC Cape Town Sevens were snapped up within two hours when they first went on sale back in July, prompting organisers to allocate additional seating to meet the huge demand for tickets.

Fans will be treated to a feast of sevens rugby as hosts South Africa look to continue their winning form following their 24-12 Cup final win over New Zealand in the opening round in Dubai. The 2016-17 series champions arrive in Cape Town with a third consecutive Cup final on home soil in their sights, having won the tournament in 2015.

“We have a tough pool in our home tournament against Kenya, Russia and France and it’s going to be physical but I think we are going to be ready,” said Blitzboks captain Philip Snyman, who scored in the Dubai final. “To play in front of family and friends is really special for us and to play here in the mother city Cape Town, in front of a packed stadium, is going to be something really special.”

Reigning HSBC Cape Town Sevens champions England finished third in Dubai, but captain Tom Mitchell is hoping to replicate their winning form from last year.

“It was a great moment for us last season winning in Cape Town,” said Mitchell. “It was amazing beating South Africa in the final and a great moment for the guys, but it’s not playing on our minds too much this week. We enjoyed ourselves last year and will be looking to do the same again.”

The tournament holds added significance this year as teams build towards Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018 in San Francisco next July. The 2016-17 series points will be added to those points from the first sevens rounds of this season to determine seedings, which will be announced after the HSBC Hong Kong Sevens next April.