Rugby
Blitzbokke drawn against NZ
2012-09-17 07:48
Johannesburg - South Africa will face defending
Sevens World Series champions New Zealand in the opening round of the
2012/13 competition, the International Rugby Board (IRB) announced on
Monday.
The Blitzbokke, who ended fifth last season, were also
drawn against the United Stated and Canada in Pool A for the Australian
leg of the series on the Gold Coast in October.
Last season’s runners-up, Fiji, were drawn against tournament hosts Australia, as well as Scotland and Tonga in Pool B.
England topped Pool C, joined by Samoa, Spain and Kenya, and Argentina were set to face Wales, France and Portugal in Pool D.
"The
HSBC Sevens World Series has grown into a global brand attracting
hundreds of thousands through the turnstiles and millions more on
television around the world," said IRB chief executive Brett Gosper.
"We are looking forward to another hugely successful series, starting on the Gold Coast."
The 2012/13 Sevens World Series will consist of nine tournaments.
The third leg will be hosted by South Africa in Port Elizabeth in December.