Blitzboks draw France, Argentina and Japan in Hong Kong Sevens pool

Feb 17 • Blitz Bokke, General News, International, Sevens Rugby, Sevens World Series, World Rugby • 1912 Views • Comments Off on Blitzboks draw France, Argentina and Japan in Hong Kong Sevens pool

Photo: Marc Sing Key

South Africa were drawn in Pool C alongside France, Argentina and Japan for the Hong Kong Sevens, World Rugby has confirmed. The popular three day tournament is round six of the HSBC Sevens World Series and takes place from 27 to 29 March.

The Springbok Sevens finished third at the USA Sevens over the weekend and they are therefore the top seeds in their pool. South Africa lost out to England in the quarterfinals of last year’s HK tournament but went on to win the Plate Final against Wales.

The South African squad arrives back in the country on Wednesday 18 February. The players will have a few days off after playing in two tournaments in New Zealand and the United States and the full training squad will assemble again on 26 February at their base camp in Stellenbosch.

After their second Cup win of the season in Las Vegas, Fiji are top seeds and head Pool A, while runners-up New Zealand, South Africa and the fourth semi-finalist USA lead the remaining pools. Fiji were drawn in Pool A alongside Canada, Samoa and Belgium, the only non-core side in the event.

Las Vegas runners-up and defending Hong Kong Sevens champions New Zealand will play Australia, Scotland and Portugal in Pool B. The USA will fight it out against England, Kenya and Wales in Pool D.

The top four teams on the final World Series points table in May will qualify directly for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, and the Springbok Sevens will therefore look to consolidate their position on top of the current log with a good performance in the Far East.

Meanwhile, South African wing Seabelo Senatla increased his tally as the World Series’ leading try scorer to 30 after he scored six more tries in Las Vegas. His try scoring exploits have also moved him up to second spot (150 points) on the overall World Series points scorers list behind Fijian Osea Ramodi Kolinisau (202), with fellow Springbok Sevens Branco du Preez third on (145).

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