The first event of the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series 2023 will come to a climax on Saturday after another thrilling day of action at Markötter Stadium which saw the women’s and men’s semi-final line-ups confirmed.
- Women’s semi-final line-up: South Africa v China, Belgium v Poland
- Men’s semi-finals: Belgium v Germany, Hong Kong China v Tonga
- Finals day on Saturday sees the women’s quarter-finals start at 09:54 local time (GMT+2) and the men’s semi-finals at 10:38, with the women’s and men’s cup finals at 13:33 and 14:01 respectively
- Winner of two-part women’s competition based on aggregate points to secure Sevens World Series entry
- Men’s competition winner based on aggregate points following second event to enter a four-team play-off at the HSBC London Sevens in May 2023 with the winner achieving the coveted Sevens World Series 2024 status
The first event of the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series 2023 will come to a climax on Saturday after another thrilling day of action at Markötter Stadium which saw the women’s and men’s semi-final line-ups confirmed.
In the women’s event, hosts South Africa will face China in the final four, while Belgium will take on Poland on Saturday with a spot in the cup finals up for grabs.
The opening men’s semi-final at Markötter Stadium will see an all-European clash of Belgium versus Germany before Hong Kong China takes on Tonga to decide who will advance to the finals later in the day.
The second event of the Challenger Series will also take place at Markötter Stadium on 28-30 April.
WOMEN’S DAY TWO RECAP:
Day 2 of the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series 2023 kicked off with a high-scoring thriller when Thailand recorded their first win of the competition in a 84-7 over PNG. That result was enough to secure Thailand passage to the quarter-final as a best third placed finisher.
Czechia were edged 7-5 by Mexico, they, however, still managed to secure second place in Pool E, which they lost 26-17 against Belgium.
China continued their fine form from Day 1 with a clinical 33-0 win over Belgium. They continued to show their class in the quarterfinal with a hat-trick of tries from Liu Xiaoqian helping the Asian team to down Colombia 32-0 for a place in the semis against hosts South Africa.
Hosts South Africa sealed their quarter-final spot with a 14-5 win over Madagascar to finish top of Group E. They were made to work hard for their last four spot by a spirited Thailand team that scored two quick tries at the start of the second half. With local fans cheering them on, South Africa came out 29-12 victors.
Poland wrapped up the women’s group stage fixtures undefeated when they emerged comfortable winners over Belgium, winning all three of their matches. They continued their winning ways in the quarter-final, with tries from Hanna Maliszewska and Ilona Zaishliuk helping them book a place in the semifinal where they will face Belgium again.
South Africa will take on China at 09:54 local time, before Belgium go up against Poland at 10:16 on the third and final day of the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series.
The ultimate prize at stake for the tournament winners in the women’s competition, which will be decided on aggregate points over the two events, is promotion to the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2024 as the 12th and final team.
MEN’S DAY TWO RECAP:
It was all to play for in the Pool C match between Jamaica and Brazil, with the winner being guaranteed a place in the quarter-final. The men from South America went over the white line three times to win 17-12. The Brazilians then faced Hong Kong China in the last-eight, but only managed to score a single converted try against Hong Kong China’s five.
Hong Kong China will be hoping to continue their fine form when they take on a tricky Tonga side in the second men’s semi-final on the third and final day of the competition.
Tonga made it clear that they are the team to beat in the men’s competition. They went into the quarter-finals unbeaten with two wins and a draw. Kyren Taumoefolau scored two of the five tries to help Tonga past Italy in the quarter-finals.
High flying Uganda topped the overall men’s standings with another clinical win in their final group stage. Their halftime lead against Germany in the quarterfinal was not enough to keep them in the running for top spot, as they suffered a 26-14 defeat.
Belgium brought their A-Game on Day 2 of the competition. They kicked things off with a 40-21 victory over Zimbabwe to advance to the quarter-finals. They then produced arguably the biggest upset of the competition when they stunned tournament favorites Chile 21-14. That victory will see them take on Germany.
Two spots in the final are up for grabs in the men’s competition. Belgium and Germany will play in semi-final 1 at 10:30 before Hong Kong China take on Tonga at 11:00 local time.
The winner of the men’s competition, which will also be decided on aggregate points over the two events, will enter a four-team play-off at the HSBC London Sevens in May together with the teams placed 12th to 14th after 10 rounds of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2023. The winner of the play-off will achieve the coveted Sevens World Series 2024 status.
HOW TO WATCH >>
Field A
https://tinyurl.com/WRSCS-FieldA-Week1
Field B
https://tinyurl.com/WRSCS-FieldB-Week1
With thanks to World Rugby
