BlitzBokke's chance for retribution

 

South Africa were drawn in Pool C alongside France, Argentina and Japan for the Hong Kong Sevens.

 

The popular three day tournament is Round Six of the Sevens World Series and takes place from March 27 to 29.

 

The BlitzBokke 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 Hong Kong tournament but went on to win the Plate Final against Wales.

 

The South African squad arrives back in the country on Wednesday. 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 February 26 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 semifinalist 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 BlitzBokke 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 teammate Branco du Preez third on (145).