Kicking-off a massive week for rugby sevens, France’s women and South Africa’s men won gold at the World University Rugby Sevens Championship in Swakopmund in Namibia on Saturday.
An indicator of future global talent, France’s women defeated Australia in the final, winning 24-7, while Belgium completed the surprise of the championship, defeating South Africa 17-0 to win bronze.
In the men’s competition, South Africa followed the success of their senior team, who were recently crowned HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series champions, to defeat Australia 24-14 in a pulsating final.
Three capped Blitzboks, the captain Rhyno Smith, James Murphy and WJ Strydom, formed part of the side and their experience counted for a lot in the Namibian desert.
France completed an impressive medal haul, defeating host nation Namibia 19-5 to win bronze.
The event was the first International University Sports Federation rugby sevens competition to be hosted in Africa and the sevens was certainly a highlight.
World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont said: “The FISU World University Rugby Sevens Championship is an important platform for competing teams and I would like to extend my congratulations to France and South Africa on winning gold.
“This is a massive year for sevens, and attention now turns to San Francisco and what will be a compelling Rugby World Cup Sevens. With a new knock-out format and a whole host of stars, it is an event not to be missed.”
There are still tickets available for the three-day event, which begins on 20 July. For more details, visit rwcsevens.com/tickets.