Australia Overcomes Black Ferns, South Africa Tops Argentina in Cape Town

The Black Ferns Sevens faced a decisive defeat against Australia in the final of the Cape Town World Rugby Sevens series on December 10, 2023. Following their victory in Dubai, New Zealand struggled to maintain momentum, ultimately losing 26-12 to a dominant Australian side. The match was characterized by Australia’s strong start, leading 19-0 at halftime, with tries from Heidi Dennis, Teagan Levi, and Isabella Nasser.

Despite the setback, the Black Ferns Sevens remain second in the overall standings following the first two rounds of the series. Their performance in Cape Town contrasted sharply with their success in Dubai, where they secured the title. The team will be eager to regroup as they head into future competitions.

All Blacks Sevens Struggle in Cape Town

The All Blacks Sevens also encountered difficulties, finishing in fifth place after a series of challenging matches. Following a heavy 35-5 loss to Fiji in the quarterfinals, New Zealand bounced back to claim victory against Australia, winning 28-21 in the fifth-place semifinal. They later defeated Great Britain 27-12 to secure their final position.

In the men’s final, South Africa achieved back-to-back titles on home turf by narrowly defeating Argentina 21-19. Argentina, who had initially looked poised for victory early in the second half, made a remarkable turnaround after finishing eighth in the previous round in Dubai. However, South Africa’s Blitzboks rallied with two tries in the last four minutes, thrilling the home crowd.

As it stands, the All Blacks Sevens hold the third position in the overall standings, trailing behind South Africa and Fiji. The results from Cape Town reflect a competitive landscape in the World Rugby Sevens series, with teams continually vying for supremacy.

Both New Zealand teams will be focusing on their next matches as they seek to reclaim their positions at the top of the leaderboard. The World Rugby Sevens series continues to showcase the intensity and excitement of rugby sevens, with teams from around the globe competing for glory.