Australian Women and South African Men Win HSBC Cape Town SVNS 2025 Titles

A total of 68,124 spectators packed into DHL Stadium in Cape Town for two fantastic sunny days of rugby for the HSBC Cape Town SVNS 2025, as the Blitzbok Men defended their title at home, defeating Argentina in the final, while the Australian women claimed revenge on the NZ side to lift the title.

Feature Photo: Zach Franzen / World Rugby

267 tries were scored over the weekend on the second leg of the HSBC SVNS Series. The Fiji Men claimed third with a win over France, while for the women, France claimed a podium place in South Africa for the third tournament in a row, after beating the USA.

Australia captain and Player of the final, Isabella Nasser, said: “We hurt last week when we lost against the Kiwis. But we put it all out there today, and I’m so proud of every single one of the girls. It was a big squad effort.

(Photo by Zach Franzen / World Rugby)

Springbok Sevens captain Impi Visser credited his side’s ability to “stay in the moment” after they beat Argentina by 21-19, coming from being 14-0 down, but scored two tries in the last four minutes to become the first men’s team to defend the title in Cape Town successfully.

“We managed to do that, and when the big moments came, we were ready for it and could handle it – that was the difference today, I believe. We wanted to come back and rectify things as we did not do justice to the jersey last weekend.”

He added, “This weekend, playing very tough opponents and beating all of them, proved that we believe in the jersey and what it stands for. Credit to every player who was involved, but also to those in the extended group, who helped us prepare for these last two weekends. They deserve the accolades just as much as we do.”

South Africa versus Argentina in the men’s Cup Final at the 2025 HSBC SVNS Cape Town at DHL Stadium on December 7, 2025 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Zach Franzen / World Rugby)

Japan Sakura 7s Claim 5th at HSBC Cape Town SVNS 2025 – Sit 3rd On Series Log

Japan had left it late to beat Canada for the third time in two tournaments. Japan Women’s 7s Head Coach Yuka Kanematsu said after the 5th place finish in Cape Town, where the side beat Canada after the hooter:

“This was my first time competing in a world top 8 tournament two weeks in a row, and the second tournament was much tougher than I could have imagined. Despite all that, the players really did their best. I’m sure it was difficult for both the players who took to the field and those who didn’t, but I think everyone’s determination to fulfil their 1/14th responsibility led to our fifth-place result.

Photo Credit – Alex Ho / World Rugby

I’d like to express my sincere gratitude to the players who joined us just before the tournament and fought alongside us, the players who supported us in various ways, and the players and staff who fought until the end. We will use what we learned from these two tournaments in our future activities as Sakura Sevens, and aim to be the strongest and kindest team in the world. I would like to ask for your continued support for Sakura Sevens.”

Yume Hirano, who played her 50th tournament over the weekend and became the youngest women’s player to reach the milestone, added, “Thank you for all your support at the Cape Town tournament. With two tournaments in a row, it was a physically and mentally tough tournament. I am proud of the 14 players and staff who continued to fight to the end despite the difficult circumstances.

Although it was not the result we hoped for, I believe we have overcome this tournament and become even stronger. The Sakura Sevens will continue to fight as one in the remaining tournaments. I would appreciate your continued support.”

Photo Credit – Alex Ho / World Rugby – Japan Sakura 7s Claim 5th – HSBC Cape Town SVNS 2025

Japan Results – Cape Town

• Pool: Japan 26-19 Canada  (Try Scorers: Sakura Mizutani (x2), Hana Nagata, Sakurako Yazaki)
• Pool: Japan 19-29 France (Try Scorers: Yume Hirano, Honoka Tsutsumi, & Hana Nagata)
• Pool: Japan 5-36 Australia (Try Scorer: Mayu Yoshino)
• 5th Place Semifinal: Japan 25-7 GB ((Try Scorers: Michiyo Suda, Mei Ohtani, Natsuki Ouchida, Marin Kajiki x2)
• 5th Place Final: Japan 12-10 Canada (Try Scorers: Mei Ohtani, Yume Hirano)

All of the fixtures and results can be seen here.

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