Top five social media moments from HSBC SVNS’ stop in Cape Town

Another week has passed and another round of HSBC SVNS action has gone by.

This time Cape Town was the playground for the world’s best rugby sevens athletes and while there may be a short wait for the next stop-off in Singapore, there is still plenty of time to reflect on South Africa and Australia’s successes at DHL Stadium.

Just like in Dubai heaps of social media content was produced over two days of lightning-quick action.

Here are the top five social media moments from Dubai…

Ball kids show their support (again)

 

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There was a clear case of déjà vu ahead on Sunday afternoon as the match ball for the Cup final contested between South Africa and Argentina was delivered.

After the ball kid handed off the ball ready for kick-off he took out a stashed South Africa jersey and waved it above his head. As ways go to whip up a crowd ahead of a finale, that was a pretty good one.

Supporters in the stand were roaring as South Africa received the ball from the kick-off and no doubt lifted their side to a 21-19 victory against Los Pumas.

Siya Kolisi absolutely LOVES IT

 

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After an unbeaten campaign with Rassie Erasmus’ Springboks in the Quilter Nations Series, Siya Kolisi was enjoying some time off at DHL Stadium.

The two-time Rugby World Cup winning captain was quite literally everywhere. From surprise appearances on the pitch to visiting players at training, the 34-year-old was in the thick of things.

It was when Ronald Brown crashed over the try line in South Africa’s 19-14 win against New Zealand that his reaction went viral.

Among the press at DHL Stadium he embraced several people applauding the last-gasp winner. The video has now picked up over 130,000 likes and over four million views.

Things get fiery between Great Britain and New Zealand

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You can never doubt the passion of players playing HSBC SVNS. This was no plainer than in New Zealand’s 29-12 win over Great Britain on Day 1 and tempers boiled over.

It all stemmed from when a little bit of pushing a shoving between GB’s Matt Davidson and New Zealand’s Jayden Keelan.

Three days on, let’s be honest, it was all completely needless and over the top. But that does not mean it was now excellent viewing and entertainment.

Braxton hits the World Series

 

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Braxton Sorensen-McGee has already enjoyed a mesmeric 2025.

She has burst onto the world scene with her exploits in the 15-a-side game with the Black Ferns and ended the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup as top points scorer with 11 tries and seven conversions.

Plus she was awarded World Rugby Women’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year.

Now aged 19, Sorensen-McGee has been drafted into the Black Ferns Sevens setup and helped her side to a Dubai title before going to Cape Town.

When the Black Ferns beat Fiji 31-19 in Pool A, the clip shared of the young flyer dotting down in the same contest caught the imagination of thousands. Even though Jorja Miller scored a hat-trick in the same game.

Podium shared on the Western Cape

 

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There is always something special about the second day of a SVNS competition. It is the day that players step up and champions are made.

At the end of that day there are just two champions left and they share the podium in celebration. In Cape Town we got to see Australia’s women and South Africa’s men celebrate at DHL Stadium in a brilliant clash of gold and green.

For Australia they got to banish the bad memories of a runners-up finish in Dubai a week prior. Tim Walsh’s side were in sensational form as Heidi Dennis, Teagan Levi, Isabella Nasser and Maddison Levi all crossed the whitewash against New Zealand.

They now sit level on points with the Black Ferns at the top of the Women’s Series two stops in.

In Dubai the Blitzboks slipped to a fifth-place finish. To then return home and wrap up a second win in a row at their home leg of the World Series is not a bad response.

Shilton van Wyk was a standout performer for Philip Snyman’s team, who now enter the break before Singapore as leaders of the men’s competition.