BlitzBoks will be back in Cape Town to defend their title

NEWS: The world champion BlitzBoks will defend their HSBC SVNS Cape Town title in December as the Mother City’s biggest party returns.

World Rugby has confirmed the destinations and dates for the HSBC SVNS 2026 Series, the top tier of a new three-division global sevens model.

The tournament in Cape Town will take place over two days on the weekend of 6-7 December, when the Blitzboks will be joined by seven other men’s and eight women’s teams in the new, revamped series format, which leaves no room for error as the teams chase top honours.

The BlitzBoks gloriously lifted the Cape Town title last year and followed up by claiming the HSBC SVNS World Championship crown in Los Angeles in May.

Together with Cape Town, Dubai, Singapore, Vancouver, and Hong Kong have been confirmed as returning HSBC SVNS event destinations for 2026.

Valladolid (Spain) and Bordeaux (France) join the calendar as part of an exciting European double-header to close the HSBC SVNS World Championship.

Australia and USA destinations are set to be announced shortly, along with HSBC SVNS Two and Three destinations.

South Africa men and New Zealand women return as defending HSBC SVNS World Champions after victories in Los Angeles.

Designed to expand rugby’s reach and deliver long-term stability for teams and hosts, the model locks in events for the next three years. Dates and destinations for HSBC SVNS 2 and 3 will follow.

The revamped Series features six regular-season rounds leading into a three-event HSBC SVNS World Championship, which will decide the line-up for the 2027 top tier.

“We’re very excited to announce the return of HSBC SVNS to Cape Town for the next three years,” said SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer, following the confirmation by World Rugby earlier on Monday.

“With the new tournament model, we envisage high-octane rugby from all the teams from the get-go, with no place to hide as only the top two teams in the respective pools will progress to the semi-finals.

“It’ll be two action-packed days, but we know this event is about more than the rugby, and fans will also experience the vibrant live entertainment and the unique festival atmosphere that makes the HSBC SVNS in Cape Town one of the best live events in the country.

“It’s the ultimate blend of sport and lifestyle. From edge-of-your-seat matches on the field to music, food, and culture, it’s more than a tournament – it’s a celebration.”

2026 season structure:

HSBC SVNS Series:
Dubai: November 29-30
Cape Town: December 6-7
Singapore: January 31 – February 1
Vancouver March 7-8
USA March 14-15

HSBC SVNS World Championship:
Hong Kong April 17-19
Valladolid May 29-31
Bordeaux June 5-7

HSBC SVNS 2:
February-March 2026

HSBC SVNS 3:
January 2026

The participating teams in HSBC SVNS 2026 Series top level are:

Women: Australia, Canada, Fiji, France, Great Britain, Japan, New Zealand, USA
Men: Argentina, Australia, Fiji, France, Great Britain, New Zealand, South Africa, Spain
*The Australia and USA event location will be announced in due course.