Sevens schedule confirmed for Commonwealth Games

South Africa men’s team will open their Commonwealth Games 2022 Pool B fixtures against Malaysia when the Rugby Sevens schedule kicks off on Friday, 29 July, while the women’s side face Australia on the same morning and also in a Pool B clash in Birmingham.

All group matches are to be held on 29 and 30 July with some play-offs also on Saturday, while the semi-finals and medal matches are to be played on Sunday 31 July.

Current HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series men’s leaders, South Africa, are in Pool B, alongside Scotland, Tonga and Malaysia.

Following South Africa's morning match against Malaysia, they then tackle Tonga in an afternoon fixture before concluding their group commitments the next morning against Scotland

Defending champions New Zealand have been drawn in Pool A where they will play England, Samoa and Sri Lanka in the pool stage. Reigning Olympic champions Fiji headline Pool C in which they will face Canada, Wales and Zambia; and Australia, who remain in contention for the 2022 World Series title, will play Kenya, Uganda and Jamaica in Pool D.

The eight teams who will contest the women’s tournament have been split into two pools. The Black Ferns Sevens will begin their title defence against Canada, England and Sri Lanka in Pool A.

Pool B, meanwhile, consists of Rio 2016 gold medallists Australia, Tokyo 2020 bronze medallists Fiji, Scotland and South Africa.

After opening their campaign against the Aussies, the SA women will then have another massive match against the formidable Fijians. They finish their group games on Saturday morning against Scotland.

The top two teams from those pools will qualify directly to the women’s semi-finals, and will have at least a shot at a bronze medal.

With many of the very best men’s and women’s teams in the world taking to the pitch at Coventry Stadium, including all the previous Olympic gold medallists, fans will be treated to a real showcase of world class rugby sevens.

The full competition schedule can be viewed at www.birmingham2022.com

BIRMINGHAM 2022 MATCH SCHEDULE (all times BST)

FRIDAY 29 July

First session (from 09h00 local time)
Women’s Pool B: Australia v South Africa
Men’s Pool B: South Africa v Malaysia

Second session (from 17h30 local time)
Women’s Pool B: Fiji v South Africa
Men’s Pool B: South Africa v Tonga

SATURDAY 30 July

First session (from 09h00 local time)
Women’s Pool B: Scotland v South Africa
Men’s Pool B: South Africa v Scotland

Second session (from 17h30 local time)
Women's semi-finals
Men's quarter-finals

SUNDAY 31 July

First session (from 10h30 local time)
Men's semi-finals

Second session (from 18h00 local time)
Women's play-offs and medal matches
Men's play-offs and medal matches

Tickets for the tournament can be purchased now at www.birmingham2022.com with prices for adults starting at £15 for adults on Friday 29 July and £22 on Saturday 30 July and Sunday 31 July. Tickets for under 16s start at £8 on all three days.

Blitzboks Springbok Sevens Springbok Women's Sevens Commonwealth Games Birmingham

Boks determined to finish 2024 on a strong note...

Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick and captain Siya Kolisi said on Friday the Boks are determined to deliver a co...

SA Sevens’ future on display with 'A'-sides in Dub...

The next generation of South Africa’s sevens talent will be on display next weekend when the Springbok Sevens ‘A’ and Sp...

Etzebeth to start as Kleyn withdraws from Wales Te...

Eben Etzebeth will start at lock alongside Franco Mostert in the Springboks’ final Castle Lager Outgoing Tour clash agai...

Experienced look to Blitzbok squad for Dubai opene...

Springbok Sevens head coach Philip Snyman has included 10 players who have tasted glory at the Emirates Dubai 7s in his ...

Fassi wants to stay after fighting his way back...

Springbok fullback Aphelele Fassi was adamant that he would continue giving everything he can on the field to maintain h...

Raubenheimer pleased with effort in close Kamaishi defeat to Japan

Springbok Women coach Stanley Raubenheimer praised his charges for their effort during in a 15-6 defeat to Japan in the Kamaishi Unosumai Memorial Stadium in Iwate on Sunday, in the first of two internationals between the teams.

Vermeulen, Steyn back in the mix for Rugby Champs

Two experienced Springboks with a total of 134 Test caps between them, Duane Vermeulen and Frans Steyn, have been recalled to the national squad for the home leg of the Castle Lager Rugby Championship, as coach Jacques Nienaber once again opted for an expanded group of 41 players for opening stage of the challenging southern hemisphere showpiece.

Much to achieve for Springbok Women in historic test match

A good start in their very first test match against Japan's Sakura XV at Kamaishi Unosumai Memorial Stadium on Sunday will not only be a driving imperative for Nolunsindiso Booi and her charges during the opening exchanges in Iwate, the Springbok Women also aim to get the tour off to a strong start.

Hele returns as Potgieter earns Test debut

Former SA Rugby Women’s Achiever of the Year, Aseza Hele, will make a much-anticipated return to the Springbok Women when she wears the No 8 jersey against Japan in Iwate on Sunday, while Rumandi Potgieter will make her test debut at scrumhalf.

All Blacks squad named for tour to South Africa

All Blacks coach Ian Foster has named a squad of 36 players for their 2022 Castle Lager Rugby Championship tour to South Africa, where the New Zealanders will face the Springboks in two Tests, in Nelspruit (6 August) and Johannesburg (13 August).

Better execution key to beating Japan – Kama

They are not going to dwell on their close 15-6 defeat to Japan in Kamaishi on Sunday, but the Springbok Women will rather use that Test as reference on where to improve in their quest to beat their hosts in the second Test of the Japan Rugby Challenge Series on Saturday, at the Kumagaya Rugby Stadium.

Boks bracing themselves for epic battle against NZ

Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber and centre Lukhanyo Am warned on Wednesday that the team were expecting an epic battle against New Zealand when the sides cross paths in back-to-back Tests in the home leg of the Castle Lager Rugby Championship starting next weekend.

Springbok Women make five changes for second Japan Test

Springbok Women coach Stanley Raubenheimer made five changes to his side to take on Japan’s Sakura XV in Kumagaya on Saturday, in the remaining Test of the Japan Rugby Challenge Series. The hosts won the opening test 15-6 in Kamaishi last Sunday.

SA women embracing huge Commonwealth Games challenge

The South Africa Women’s Sevens team face a dauting challenge at the Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham, where they have been grouped with Australia, Fiji and Scotland in Pool B, and while they recognise they face a daunting task, head coach Paul Delport says they have a plan in place on how to deal with the pressure of playing such strong opposition.

Orie anticipates a bruising forward battle against the All Blacks

Springbok lock Marvin Orie anticipated a massive forward battle against the All Blacks when the teams meet in back-to-back Castle Lager Rugby Championship Tests on Saturdays 6 and 13 August, and said the Boks’ preparations for the competition were well underway in Mpumalanga.