2022 Rugby World Cup 7’s
With the dust barely settled from one of the closest world series in history, the sevens fraternity gears itself up for the big one. Cape Town plays host to the 2022 Sevens Rugby World Cup.
2022 Rugby World Cup 7’s is taking place over 3 days, it will be intense from the get-go. Winning the Sevens World Cup is the goal for any seven’s player worth their salt. Defending champions New Zealand are eyeing their third successive title. Can sevens wizards Fiji find the form that has won them countless series titles and 2 world cups? Will the Springboks add a maiden World Cup title to their impressive list of achievements? Or could a different nation put together a tournament that goes all the way? The in-form Aussies perhaps? The only certainty is that the team who lifts the winner’s trophy on Sunday the 11th of September will have earned it. Sevens rugby is in an exciting space at this moment in time, no doubt the fans will be out in force to support.
Rugby World Cup 7’s Past Success
Most people are unaware that the first ever Sevens Rugby World Cup took place in 1993. Held every 4 years like its 15-man counterpart, the 2022 event will be the eighth edition. New Zealand and Fiji are the most successful nations in this event, with 3 and 2 titles respectively. England won the inaugural event, while Wales took home victory in 2009. Rugby powerhouses, South Africa, Australia, and France will not enjoy the lack of silverware in this tournament. Can 2022 be one of their years?
Only in recent times has the profile of Sevens risen to something akin to T20 cricket. The fast-paced environment is the perfect platform from which high skill levels and awe-inspiring fitness are showcased. With Sevens rugby now recognised as an official Olympic Sport, the global attention and investment in the game has increased. Any one of 4 or 5 teams can win on their day- this World Cup will be no different.
Format
The 2022 tournament begins with the pre-round of 16. Sixteen unseeded teams play one match within this group. Winning this game ensures entry into the main draw round of 16, consisting of the 8 seeded nations (namely New Zealand, Australia, England, Fiji, France, USA, Argentina, and South Africa). There is no room for error, as one loss will relegate a team out of the main draw and thus contention for the title. Eight teams will be in contention for the quarterfinals on Saturday. The winners thereof have to wait for the Sunday to play their respective semi-finals. The championship final concludes the tournament on Sunday evening. With more down time and less room for error than the traditional Sevens series format, it will take a truly focussed team to go all the way.
Form Guide
Still in a high from their maiden Sevens series win, Australia will fancy their chances at this World Cup. Perhaps not considered true favourites, this team is certainly one of the most consistent.
The South African ‘Blitzbokke’ narrowly missed out on another Sevens series win this year. They have however still had a season that they can be proud of. Winning the Commonwealth Games gold medal in Birmingham was an achievement to be proud of.
New Zealand are currently the reigning World Champions in rugby sevens. While the Covid pandemic limited their game time over the past couple of years, nobody can ever write off the All Blacks in any format.
The real godfathers of Sevens, Fiji usually stand at the top of any favourites list. While also limited in terms of game time due to Covid, the current Olympic champions have this game in their blood. Last winning a World Cup in 2005, Fiji will have their eye firmly set on dethroning New Zealand as World Champs.
Blitzbok Squad
Never having won a sevens world title will weigh heavily on the team from South Africa. The talent is there, with regulars Selvyn Davids, Jc Pretorius and Siviwe Soyizwapi all present. South African seven’s stalwart Cecil Afrika also returns to the fold. If he avoids injury and has even half of his previous form, he will be a great asset to the team. This is also coach Neil Powell’s final involvement with the Blitzboks before heading to the Sharks rugby franchise in Durban. Winning the World Cup would be the cherry on the cake to a glittering career as both a player and head coach. If the Blitzboks can find the form that ensured success in Birmingham, they could well provide the perfect send-off gift for Powell.
No longer merely the sideshow to fifteens, Sevens has a following of its own. The Cape Town fans will surely make the 2022 World Cup a memorable one. Hopefully the beloved Blitzboks can reward the local fans with the greatest prize still missing from their impressive trophy cabinet.
Last Words
We covered the 2022 Rugby World Cup 7’s in our September 2022 Sport Preview, if you are looking for any more great events coming in September have read through. The opportunity for punters is fantastic due to the tournament only being 3 days, each day will be packed with fixtures! There are a number of favourites for this years Men’s Rugby 7’s World Cup.
Firstly, as the hosts this time round the Blitzboks will want to add this tournament to their list. The All blacks are the most successful side in the history of the competition and been doing well so definitely a team to watch. Australia, Fiji and England are on the favourites list as well. Some popular betting markets to consider are Outright Betting, Match Results, First Try Scorer and World Cup Sevens Accumulators. Keep an eye out for the RWC 7’s betting promotions from the best betting sites in South Africa:
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