Springboks Women's Sevens during a training session at UCT rugby field. Picture: Phando Jikelo/African News Agency (ANA)
Cape Town - The last time South Africa hosted a Rugby World Cup, we won the whole thing.
It was all the way back in 1995 that the Springboks – led by Francois Pienaar and inspired by then president Nelson Mandela – brought the Rainbow Nation together by beating the mighty All Blacks in the final at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.
That journey to the golden Webb Ellis Cup began in Cape Town, when the Boks got the better of Australia in the tournament opener at Newlands.
Now the world has come to party in Mzansi once again, with the Rugby World Cup Sevens kicking off at the majestic Cape Town Stadium on Friday and continuing until Sunday.
There are 40 teams involved across the men’s and women’s events, and we can expect a kaleidoscope of colour in the stands and all around Green Point as fans from countries as diverse as Brazil, China, Canada, South Korea and Tonga come together for a weekend-long jol.
The Sevens extravaganza will provide a much-needed boost to the local economy, with restaurants, bars and other businesses sure to cash in.
But the action will be even hotter on the field, with Sevens heavyweights such as Fiji, New Zealand, Argentina and newly crowned World Series champions Australia all trying to topple South Africa.
The Blitzboks are missing some key figures such as Zane Davids, Dewald Human and Justin Geduld, but were able to recall veteran playmaker Cecil Afrika and chief strike-runner Selvyn Davids for the World Cup.
They will also have extra motivation in the shape of coach Neil Powell, who will be in charge of his last tournament before joining the Sharks in the United Rugby Championship as their director of rugby.
Powell was first a player and then became a coach, and has been involved with the Blitzboks since 2001, so the team will want to give him a fitting send-off.
The SA Women’s team, coached by Paul Delport, will also look to make a good impression in their competition, where they will face France this evening in the knockout format. Let’s get the party started!
Cape Times
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