The South African Rugby Union (SARU) announced on Friday that the SA leg of the World Rugby Sevens Series would be moving to Cape Town for four years from December.
The Cape Town Sevens will join a host of new and iconic venues on the Series circuit - which has already added Sydney and Vancouver to its schedule - with the full line-up of host cities and dates to be confirmed by World Rugby (formerly the IRB) in due course.
The Cape Town Sevens will be played at the Cape Town Stadium following an agreement between SARU and the City Council. The Western Province Rugby Union was kept informed of the discussions by SARU and has pledged their support.
"World Rugby wanted global iconic destinations to showcase the new Olympic sport of Rugby Sevens and a world-class stadium, in a world-class city in the shadow of a World Heritage site in Table Mountain provides exactly that," said Jurie Roux, CEO of SARU.
The Cape Town Sevens will join a host of new and iconic venues on the Series circuit - which has already added Sydney and Vancouver to its schedule - with the full line-up of host cities and dates to be confirmed by World Rugby (formerly the IRB) in due course.
The Cape Town Sevens will be played at the Cape Town Stadium following an agreement between SARU and the City Council. The Western Province Rugby Union was kept informed of the discussions by SARU and has pledged their support.
"World Rugby wanted global iconic destinations to showcase the new Olympic sport of Rugby Sevens and a world-class stadium, in a world-class city in the shadow of a World Heritage site in Table Mountain provides exactly that," said Jurie Roux, CEO of SARU.
"We enjoyed our stay in George and more recently in Port Elizabeth where we were able to grow the event with the help of the Municipality and the support of the Eastern Province Rugby Union and Eastern Cape fans and we thank them for that. But as the World Sevens Series has grown - and with it the requirements and the expectations - so we needed to go to the next level and Cape Town allows us to do that.
"Cape Town is sports-mad and their crowds frequently top the attendance charts in SA and it is a rugby city. The Fan Walk to the stadium and the proximity of entertainment areas such as the V&A Waterfront are an added bonus and will capture and amplify the unique vibe of Sevens Rugby. It also has the added advantage from World Rugby's perspective of numerous direct international flights and significant hotel capacity, which will ease some of the logistical issues."
World Rugby Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: "With excitement increasing ahead of Rio 2016, the World Rugby Sevens Series is going from strength to strength, proving a hit with fans, broadcasters and sponsors around the globe with its winning blend of compelling and competitive action, global destinations and festival atmosphere.
"The South Africa Sevens has been at the heart of the success story and we are delighted to be extending our partnership with SARU as a Series host. We have enjoyed 13 successful years at Port Elizabeth (four) and George (nine) and the move to Cape Town reflects the ever-increasing interest and success of Sevens in South Africa.
"Cape Town is one of the world's iconic cities - a major tourism and sporting destination that has proven to be an exceptional and warm host. Its inclusion within a stellar World Rugby Sevens Series schedule is exciting for fans around the world.
"I am confident that the South Africa Sevens in Cape Town will inspire new audiences and participants and contribute to the continued strong growth of rugby in South Africa and around the world."
"Cape Town is sports-mad and their crowds frequently top the attendance charts in SA and it is a rugby city. The Fan Walk to the stadium and the proximity of entertainment areas such as the V&A Waterfront are an added bonus and will capture and amplify the unique vibe of Sevens Rugby. It also has the added advantage from World Rugby's perspective of numerous direct international flights and significant hotel capacity, which will ease some of the logistical issues."
World Rugby Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: "With excitement increasing ahead of Rio 2016, the World Rugby Sevens Series is going from strength to strength, proving a hit with fans, broadcasters and sponsors around the globe with its winning blend of compelling and competitive action, global destinations and festival atmosphere.
"The South Africa Sevens has been at the heart of the success story and we are delighted to be extending our partnership with SARU as a Series host. We have enjoyed 13 successful years at Port Elizabeth (four) and George (nine) and the move to Cape Town reflects the ever-increasing interest and success of Sevens in South Africa.
"Cape Town is one of the world's iconic cities - a major tourism and sporting destination that has proven to be an exceptional and warm host. Its inclusion within a stellar World Rugby Sevens Series schedule is exciting for fans around the world.
"I am confident that the South Africa Sevens in Cape Town will inspire new audiences and participants and contribute to the continued strong growth of rugby in South Africa and around the world."
By: Farai Diza
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