The Blitzbokke get a chance to make amends for the weekend’s disappointing performance in Dubai, where they lost to Australia in the Plate Final … They meet the lime green clad Aussies again on Friday in the pool stages of the Nelson Mandela Bay Sevens in Port Elizabeth.
The Blitzbokke were drawn in Pool C with Australia, Canada and Kenya for round three of the HSBC Sevens World Series which takes place this weekend at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
The Boks lost to Australia via a post siren try after leading for almost the entire match, but did get the better of The Aussies twice in the Gold Coast a fortnight ago, and local supporters will be hoping that Cecil Afrika and his teams mates will bounce back to form.
As Dubai champions, England top pool A this week, and face a tough trio of matches against Dubai Cup semi-finalists Argentina, Bowl runners-up USA and Shield winners Samoa.
After reaching their first World Series Cup final since 2005 in Dubai, France top Pool B in Port Elizabeth and will play New Zealand, Dubai Bowl winners Scotland and African qualifiers Morocco.
Fiji head Pool D and will play Wales, Portugal and Zimbabwe.
Following their win in Dubai, England climbed to second in the HSBC Sevens World Series standings, seven points behind Gold Coast champions Fiji.
The World Series Standings after round 2:
1. Fiji 39 points;
2. England 32;
3. South Africa, New Zealand, France 29;
6. Australia 28;
7. Argentina, Wales 23.
The pool draw for the PE Sevens is:
Pool A: England, Argentina, USA, Samoa
Pool B: France, New Zealand, Scotland, Morocco
Pool C: South Africa, Australia, Canada, Kenya
Pool D: Fiji, Wales, Portugal, Zimbabwe
The confirmed training venues for the 16 teams are:
Argentina – Cille High School, Uitenhage Road, Sydwell
Australia – Framesby High School, Framesby
Canada – Gelvandale Stadium, Gelvandale
England – Westering High School, Westerling
Fiji – Nelson Mandela Bay University, Summerstrand
France – Pearson High School, Jenvy Road, Summerstrand
Kenya – Newton Technical High School, Newton Park
New Zealand – Nelson Mandela Bay University, Summerstrand
Portugal – Zwide Stadium, Tonjeni Street, Kwazakhele
Morocco – Newton Technical High School, Newton Park
Samoa – Londt Park Sports Club, Ralston Road, Fernglen
Scotland – PE College, Kemsley Park, Mount Croix
South Africa – Victoria Park High School, Walmer
United States – Kemsley Park, Mount Croix
Wales – DF Malherbe High School, Walmer B-field
Zimbabwe – Nelson Mandela Bay University, Missionvale Campus
There is a team signing session at the Greenacres Mall, starting at 17h00 on Tuesday. On Wednesday all sixteen international captains will be at the same venue between 14h00 – 15h00.
The action kicks off on Friday morning at 11h37 and closes with the feature match of the day between South Africa and Australia at 20h38. A Concert will round off the day’s entertainment.
On Saturday the first match is scheduled to kick off at 11h16 and the Cup Final at 19h40.
Tickets are still available through Computicket and range from R80 to R300 per day, which includes the concert on Friday night.
