South Africa Men and Australia Women Crowned HSBC SVNS World Champions 2026

The Blitzboks (South Africa men) and the Australian women are the HSBC SVNS World Champions 2026 following the final day’s action in Bordeaux. The French men claimed the Bordeaux title, with the Australians defeating rivals NZ in the women’s final to be crowned champions of France and the world.

Women’s Series

Australia won two titles at Stade Atlantique, winning the Bordeaux HSBC SVNS World Championship series crown and HSBC SVNS World Championship 2026 following their 26-19 win over New Zealand, in which Maddi Levi was player of the final, scoring two tries.

Co-captain Isabella Nasser said after the win: “We definitely had our bumps, ups and downs throughout this tournament, and to show up like that against a really quality side like New Zealand, I couldn’t be more proud of the girls. We have an amazing squad at home and the squad here, and the depth of our programme is unbelievable – we saved the best to last in regards to our performance.”

“New Zealand are a quality side, amazing talent in their team. For us to go that one bit more and to be able to put more tries on, to be able to show up is really important to us and I couldn’t be happier.”

Canada claimed third with a 21-19 victory over USA, while Spain’s eighth-place finish was enough to see them promoted to next season’s main HSBC SVNS Series, at Great Britain’s expense. The eight sides on the main tour next season will be: Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA, France, Fiji, Japan and Spain.

Argentina, GB, Brazil and South African women failed to qualify for SVNS 1.

Cecil Afrika said after his SA Women’s finished in 12^th place in the final tournament of the season and failed in their efforts to return to the HSBC SVNS Series for 2027, “It can be done, but we just did not have enough depth and experience in the lead-up. We never really had a chance in Hong Kong, due to the short time together after the five injuries in SVNS 2, but you could see the growth and progress for the last two tournaments, where we had a month to prepare.”

A coach said he would like to see a bigger training squad and more playing opportunities as part of the next cycle – which also includes Olympic Games qualification.

All of the results from Bordeaux can be seen here.

Men’s Series

Photo Credit – World Rugby

France came back from the brink of relegation to HSBC SVNS 2 to win in Bordeaux with a 14-5 win over New Zealand. Congrats to HKCR referee Morgan White, who was in charge of the final.

French captain Paulin Riva said: “This championship is very difficult with a lot of big teams like South Africa. [But] we want to be here and we would like to be present. Obviously I’m one of the older players [on the squad]. We’re rebuilding the squad, we want to grow every year until the Olympic Games. I think this is the way – it’s been amazing.”

NZ Men’s 7s Head Coach Tomasi Cama, who was celebrating his 150th tournament as player and coach, confirmed he is stepping away from the role after this season.

The Blitzboks played in six finals out of nine tournaments and won five before claiming the World Championship title, which they also won last season. The South Africans also won 37 matches, more than any other men’s team this season.

Springbok Sevens head coach Philip Snyman said, “I am so very, very proud on this team, and to win both the World Series and the World Championship is a special feat indeed. The fact that we won the Hong Kong tournament for the first time ever was probably the highlight of the World Championship, and along with playing in the final last weekend, that laid the foundation for us to retain our World Championship status.”

They were losing finalists in Valladolid and came fourth in France, losing to Spain 14-40 in the bronze game. The Blitzbok coach admitted they had not been at their best.

“We did not make it easy for ourselves this weekend – we didn’t play our best rugby here in France and at times we were our own worst enemies, but the hard work done earlier in the championship race laid the foundation. I am so happy and proud to be associated with this team and system.”

It was a drama-filled weekend as the USA regained their SVNS 1 status with the final play of the game and 17-14 win over Fiji – the result meant they qualified instead of Kenya, who were watching on in the stands.

The teams competing on the HSBC SVNS main stage next season will be: South Africa, New Zealand, Spain, Australia, Argentina, Fiji, France and the USA.

The teams who missed out were Kenya, Germany, Uruguay, and GB.

Great Britain Men and Women lost their core status, and there remains uncertainty over their program, which Scotland Rugby Union now looks after.

Japan Sakura 7s – HSBC SVNS2026

The Japanese team finished 7th in Bordeaux and 6th overall and will remain in HSBC SVNS 1 next season.

Head Coach Yuka Kanematsu said after the final tournament, “Not being able to start the tournament with a win against Fiji has made this a very tough tournament for us. I sincerely accept that this defeat is due to my own shortcomings as a coach.

However, the players gave their all in every match and fought to the very end without giving up. That attitude led to our highest-ever ranking in the World Championship and our survival in Division 1 next season. Furthermore, scoring four tries against the world champions for the first time, and winning the final match with a performance that encapsulated everything we’ve worked on this season, feels like opening a new door for Sakura Sevens.”

Photo Credit – World Rugby

Sakura 7s captain Michiyo Suda added, “Our theme for this tournament was to keep winning every single moment. We suffered a disappointing defeat in our first match, but the whole team regrouped and continued to fight, believing in our own style of rugby. I think we were able to embody the Sakura Sevens style of rugby by continuing to attack against any opponent and scoring points, and by tenaciously pushing forward in defence.

Throughout the season, there were many times when things didn’t go as planned and many difficult times, but as a result of fighting together until the very end, we were able to secure our place in the core team. I am happy that we will be able to continue challenging ourselves on this stage next season, and I am proud of my teammates who gave their all for the team until the very end.”

• Japan 12-24 Fiji – Japan try scorers: Sakurako Yazaki, Natsuki Ouchida
• Japan 29-14 Brazil – Japan try scorers: Hazuki Ouchida, Mei Ohtani, Sakurako Yazaki, Minako Taniyama, Natsuki Ouchida
• Japan 7-35 Australia – Japan Try Scorers: Hanako Utsumi
• Cup QF – Japan 22-35 NZ – Japan Try Scorers: Michiyo Suda, Shiori Okyudo, Mayu Yoshino, Marin Kajiki
• 7th Place Final Japan 19-7 Spain – Japan Try Scorers: Chiaki Saegusa, Hanako Utsumi, Honoka Tsutsumi

Photo Credit – World Rugby

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