05 March 2020, by: Leonard Solms

World Rugby Vancouver Sevens: Punters Guide

South Africa moved within four points of the top of the Sevens World Series due to their heroic Los Angeles final victory over Fiji. Now, Neil Powell’s men will look to repeat the feat in Vancouver and knock New Zealand off their perch.

The Vancouver Sevens will get underway at 19:00 SAST on 7 March as USA face Samoa. The Blitzboks play their first Pool A game against Japan on 20:06.

At 23:18, South Africa will face a potential banana skin as they play Argentina. It doesn’t get any easier as they play at 02:30 AM on Sunday against England, who sit fifth in the World Series.

The Blitzboks will hope for a place in the Vancouver Cup final at 03:28 on 9 March.

Fiji are still favourites for Vancouver despite their crushing loss in the final to the Blitzboks who are the bookie’s second-favourites with New Zealand good value as well.

In Pool A, South Africa are tipped to win at , in Pool B it’s Fiji at , Pool C is the Kiwis at and lastly Pool D it’s the USA at .

Smarting from their Los Angeles semi-final defeat to South Africa, New Zealand are well-primed for a strong showing in Vancouver.

Given that they have been handed a relatively favourable group with Kenya, Spain and Ireland, the All Blacks Sevens have a straightforward path to the quarter-finals.

South Africa’s group looks potentially tricky on paper, while France could pose a potential problem for Fiji.

World Series leaders New Zealand are therefore the most likely cup victors.

1. New Zealand 93

2. South Africa 89

3. Fiji 72

4. France 67

5. England 65

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