HSBC SVNS Cape Town - Men's Day ONE
WRAP: The opening day of the HSBC SVNS Cape Town tournament delivered a series of captivating matchups and surprising outcomes.
The highlight of the day was Canada’s historic victory over New Zealand, setting the tone for an unpredictable tournament.
Meanwhile, Argentina showcased their prowess with a commanding win against Spain, and Ireland continued their impressive form by stunning the home team, South Africa, in a repeat of last year’s upset.
In the later rounds, New Zealand bounced back with a dominant performance against Australia, while Fiji displayed their trademark flair in a convincing win over Spain. Great Britain secured a dramatic overtime triumph against the USA, and Samoa edged out New Zealand in a thrilling encounter.
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Round 1:
New Zealand 7’s vs Canada 7’s
The New Zealand team seemed to get off to a dominant start against the Canadians who responded with giving them a run for their money in the opening half of the game. The Kiwi class and pedigree looked poised to start taking control of the game or so we thought… against the odds, Canada remained optimistic with a gutsy performance that gave them a chance to upset the New Zealand side. An upset is what we got with The Maples getting a historic victory over New Zealand, setting the tone as the tournament opener.
Samoa 7’s vs Australia 7’s
Australia got off to a strong start in Cape Town as they led Samoa by three tries to zero at half-time. The score is a whopping 15-0 at half-time. The Aussie men continue on from the Women’s performance earlier on with a physically imposing performance against the mighty Samoans that caps off a good start to the first round of Australian 7’s rugby in this tournament.
Argentina 7’s vs Spain 7’s
The Argentineans came out on top in this Hispanic affair as they started out the blocks with a quick couple tries against their Spanish counterparts and never looked back. It was all Argentina in this match-up as Spain just couldn’t find an answer fast enough to the Los Pumas offence with an inspired ending to the game that Argentina were ultimately always in control of.
Fiji 7’s vs France 7’s
France and Fiji is always a physical battle and both sides play such an attractive style of Rugby. This is exactly what we got in this closely contested battle that had no leader up until the final moment of the game which resulted in an emphatic decision by the French to take the penalty drop goal that saw them with a big win against the Fijian 7’s giants.
Ireland 7’s vs USA 7’s
A very ominous match between these two dark horses of the 7’s game. Both teams refused to give an inch with only a few big moments separating the two sides at the halftime mark. Ireland eventually hit their strides and began to take control against the men from across the Atlantic in the second half as the tries started leaking out by the Americans and the Irish began capitalize.
South Africa 7’s vs Great Britain 7’s
The Blitzbokke continued their impressive run coming off glory in Dubai that saw them make an early statement in their opening game of the home leg of the campaign. Great Britain always looked like they were in the match but the home crowd brought the energy this morning and the Blitzbok were able to respond well whenever put in doubt over their lead that they inevitably refused to give up.
Round One Results:
New Zealand 7 – 19 Canada
Samoa 7 – 27 Australia
Argentina 31 – 12 Spain
Fiji 17 – 14 France
Ireland 31 – 0 USA
South Africa 19 – 5 Great Britain
Gassing away is Jefferson Lee for France 💪#HSBCSVNS | #HSBCSVNSCPT | @FranceRugby pic.twitter.com/peeapvJztc
— HSBC SVNS (@SVNSSeries) December 9, 2023
Round Two:
Samoa 7’s vs Canada 7’s
This Samoan team have not been their usual selves in the opening rounds of this HSBC SVNS tournament while Canada have really shown up to task at hand with claiming a Pacific Island skull in this tournament already. They bag themselves another with an inspiring yet also convincing win against a 7’s nation that is normally in the conversation as tournament contenders.
New Zealand 7’s vs Australia 7’s
New Zealand opened their second-round match with a vengeance, having a flying start against the Aussie men. Five unanswered tries in the first half put the Kiwis in a commanding position and back in the chase for Cape Town glory. This would continue into the second half as Australia were just unable to get out of second gear. Both teams have a lot to think about going into the third fixture with a win and a loss apiece.
Fiji 7’s vs Spain 7’s
Fiji coming out with some slick hands and footwork to create some magic in Cape Town as they rush ahead to a 21-0 lead at half-time. Fiji do love playing in Cape Town and have an incredible record here. Fiji came out with a strong second-half performance to back up their first half and beat Spain by a convincing margin.
Argentina 7’s vs France 7’s
Both teams start this game with strong intentions having tied the score in the first half. Ironically, it’s been the Argentinean Flair vs the French Physicality. In the end, it was flair that prevailed as Argentina kept good composure to close out the game with a win that should give them confidence going into their third game of the tournament.
Ireland 7’s vs Great Britain 7’s
Ireland and Great Britain both come out onto the field and both teams want an important win in this group stage match. It is end-to-end play from both sides and it is nail-biting stuff out there. Ireland edged the first half and are ahead by 12 points going into the half-time break. Ireland sneaked the win after a great game with a 19 – 14 victory.
South Africa 7’s vs USA 7’s
The Blitzboks continued to feed off the ‘home town’ advantage as the Eagles kept them at an arm-wrestle for the majority of the first half until a moment of brilliance gave them the lead in a game of millimeters. The Americans would do well to come back in the second half after South Africa’s yellow card but the men in green and gold kept playing with heart to close out the game with a man short on the field and bonus point to make up for it.
Round Two Results:
Samoa 7 – 28 Canada
New Zealand 35 – 5 Australia
Fiji 33 – 7 Spain
Argentina 21 – 7 France
Ireland 19 – 14 Great Britain
South Africa 26 – 14 USA
Ronald Brown is putting on a show for the @Blitzboks 🎩✨#HSBCSVNS | #HSBCSVNSCPT pic.twitter.com/U1SHFmeyM9
— HSBC SVNS (@SVNSSeries) December 9, 2023
Round Three:
Australia 7’s vs Canada 7’s
The men from down under have managed to stop this Canadian hot streak with a clinical first half passage of play to their third round of the tournament. As the saying goes, form is temporary but class is forever which has been the case in this surprisingly David vs Goliath encounter. Canada do get the last say in the match to end off their day in the office but will watch the next game in high anticipation to discover their fate for the play-offs.
New Zealand 7’s vs Samoa 7’s
Samoa and New Zealand off to a thrilling start and both these teams need this win. They are wearing their hearts on their sleeves and passion is oozing from both ends. Samoa go into the half-time break leading 14 points to 7. Samoa do well to hold New Zealand out and hold onto a narrow victory over the Mighty Kiwi’s. Samoa coming out on top in this thrilling encounter by 7 points.
France 7’s vs Spain 7’s
France look to extend their impressive run in this tournament so far. The Spanish team with nothing to lose have left it all out on the field in the first half holding Les Bleus to an attainable lead. The game goes down to the wire but France are able to keep the fighting Spanish team out who go down by 2 points. It’s an enterprising end to both team’s performances in the tournament today.
Argentina 7’s vs Fiji 7’s
Argentina and Fiji both scoring two of the tries of the tournament in the first half and this is a thrilling encounter as expected. Fiji go into the half-time break leading 14-7. Fiji playing some electric Rugby in Cape Town as they defeat Argentina with just 6 men on the field. Great effort all around but Fiji come out on top today with a 19-12 victory.
USA 7’s vs Great Britain 7’s
It’s been a blockbuster in this penultimate match of day one. Both teams look to empty the tank in search for a first win in the tournament. Great Britain edge the United States by a conversion kick at the end of the first half as both teams look evenly matched. The contest proved to be a tussle to the end the with the scores being tied up in normal time as well as it being the first non-playoff game of the tournament to go into overtime. This would end in Great Britain’s triumph as they avoid their pool’s wooden spoon.
South Africa 7’s vs Ireland 7’s
The Irish are out to upset the home team like they did a year ago in opening day of the World Championships. Both teams have been exceptional on attack with the visitors making the most out of the first half having scored 2 tries to 1. The game ends in history repeating itself as Ireland stun the Blitzboks again on their home turf and maintain their unbeaten run to cap an end to the first day of the HSBC SVNS Cape Town.
Round Three Results:
Australia 26 -7 Canada
New Zealand 14 – 21 Samoa
France 21 – 19 Spain
Argentina 12 – 19 Fiji
USA 26 – 31 Great Britain
South Africa 12 – 14 Ireland
