Four teams who have been part of the World Rugby Sevens World Series at the now discontinued 16-team format begin their chase for a possible promotion to the now elite 12-team competition by playing at a Tier 3 competition in Dubai from January 17-18. 

The Tier 3 competition, the lowest in the revamped format, is a pathway to the Tier 2 competition scheduled to start in Nairobi in February and eventually the three-way championship later in the year. In Dubai, South Africa (women), Samoa, Tonga, and Canada who have played at the top tier line up against other teams as they eye promotion.

Two African teams, South Africa (women) and Madagascar (men) will be in the mix as they hope to join Kenya’s Shujaa and Lionesses in Nairobi when the Tier 2 – formerly Challenge Series – kicks off the hunt for promotion.

Lacklustre Run

The South Africa women’s team who were relegated to the lower tier after a lacklustre run in the World Sevens Series in Los Angeles have been drawn in Pool A that has Thailand, Czechia and Mexico. Their development team was in Dubai in December as part of the preparations. Pool B has Argentina, Colombia, Poland and Samoa.

In the men’s category Madagascar shall face a tough challenge against former Series contenders Canada, Samoa and Tonga and a rising Belgium and Italy. Only the top two teams in each category shall proceed to the Tier Two competition in Nairobi (Kenya), Montevideo (Uruguay), and Sao Paulo (Brazil). 

World Rugby Tier 3 Sevens tournament, Dubai, January 17-18.

Pools and Fixtures

Women

Pool A: South Africa, Thailand, Czechia, Mexico.

Pool B: Argentina, Colombia, Poland, Samoa

Colombia v Poland,Argentina v Samoa, Thailand v Czechia, South Africa v Mexico, Colombia v Samoa, Argentina v Poland, Thailand v Mexico, South Africa v Czechia, Poland v Samoa, Argentina v Colombia, Czechia v Mexico, South Africa v Thailand, 

Men

Pool A: Colombia, Hong Kong China, Samoa, Tonga.

Pool B: Belgium, Canada, Italy, Madagascar.

Madagascar v Belgium, Canada v Italy, Tonga v Hong Kong China, Samoa v Colombia,  Madagascar v Italy, Canada v Belgium, Tonga v Colombia, Samoa v Hong Kong China, Belgium v Italy, Canada v Madagascar, Hong Kong China v Colombia, Samoa v Tonga.

Sunday, January 17

Women

Fifth Place Semi Final: A3 v B4, B3 v A4, 

Cup Semi Finals: A1 v B2, B1 v A2.

Men

Fifth Place Semi Final: A3 v B4, B3 v A4,

Cup Semi Finals: A1 v B2, B1 v A2.