Source: World Rugby

Fiji produce biggest upset on day one at HSBC Cape Town Sevens

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  • Women’s competition is hosted Cape Town for the first time in world series history this weekend
  • Fiji caused the surprise of day one with a 38-19 defeat of Russia
  • All men’s and women’s teams played one pool game each on day one
  • Women’s competition continues at 08:45 local time on 14 December

Fiji caused the surprise of the opening day at the HSBC Cape Town Sevens 2019 with an impressive 38-19 defeat of Russia at Cape Town Stadium on 13 December.

The first ever women’s competition to be played in the Mother City – the 16th location in the history of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series – had otherwise seen the top five nations in the standings enjoy comfortable wins in their opening pool matches.

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New Zealand, series leaders and champions in Dubai last weekend, were one of four teams not to concede a point as they beat hosts South Africa 40-0. Australia, Canada and Glendale winners USA also kept their opponents scoreless.

France survived a mini second-half fight-back by Spain to triumph 36-12, but it was Fiji who came out on top against Russia, scoring four second-half tries to record their highest ever score in the fixture.

The HSBC Cape Town Sevens is the third stop on the women’s circuit this season following the opening tournament in Glendale, USA in October and Dubai last weekend. It is one of a record six combined men’s and women’s tournaments in a season that will be rounded off with the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in July and August.

The action continues at 08:45 local time (GMT+2) on 14 December when Olympic champions Australia take on Ireland. The teams will complete their pool matches on day two with the knockout stages to bring the curtain down on the historic tournament on Sunday.

Follow the action unfold on www.world.rugby/sevens or @WorldRugby7s.