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New Zealand set for Fiji double as tough Cape Town pools confirmed
By Finn Morton
New Zealand started the 2025/26 HSBC SVNS Series with a blackout at the Dubai Sevens, with both teams winning titles at the season-opener. As the New Zealanders chase that same feat next weekend in Cape Town, they will both face traditional rivals Fiji in pool play.
Australia were searching for a six-peat of Dubai Sevens titles when they faced New Zealand in a tense women’s decider on Sunday evening. The Black Ferns Sevens had lost the last three Cup Finals at the annual event, but emerged victorious 29-14 this time around.
Jazmin Felix-Hotham was shown a yellow card during the final, but the Black Ferns Sevens still stormed home for a clinical triumph. Jorja Miller was rewarded with Player of the Final honours, after the 2024/25 Sevens Player of the Year scored a crucial double.
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It was then time for the big dance in the men’s draw, with accurate goal-kicking from Sofai Notoa-Tipo and Riley Williams proving the difference. Both teams scored four tries each, but the All Blacks Sevens reigned supreme 26-22.
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There’s one more SVNS Series leg before the New Year, with the circuit heading to Cape Town’s DHL Stadium on December 6-7. New Zealand will face Fiji in both the women’s and men’s competitions, alongside some other world-renowned competitors.
The All Blacks Sevens will take on Fiji in a rematch of the Dubai Sevens semi-final. New Zealand won that Cup eliminator in the dying stages, with Jayden Keelan throwing a superb flick pass to Brady Rush, who raced down the right sideline to score the winner.
Defending SVNS Series champions South Africa and Great Britain have also been drawn in Pool A. GB fielded a new-look, inexperienced side for the Dubai Sevens, but they still claimed famous wins over Spain and Argentina.
Australia headline a tough Pool B, with Olympic champions France, Spain and two-time League Winners Argentina rounding out the group. France recorded a historic 59-7 win over Argentina during pool play in Dubai.
In the women’s pools, the Black Ferns Sevens have been drawn with Fijiana and the USA yet again. New Zealand were stunned by the USA on day one in Dubai, before the defending world champions bounced back with a 31-12 win over Fiji.
Australia are looking to return to title-winning form in Cape Town, taking on Japan, Canada and France in Pool B. Japan qualified for the semi-finals in Dubai, while Canada are the current Olympic silver medallists, and France are always dangerous.
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