Pienaar: Hosting Rugby World Cup Sevens a momentous occasion for SA

Friday (24 June) marks 27 years since Francois Pienaar led the Springboks to Rugby World Cup glory by beating the All Blacks 15-12 in the final at Ellis Park.

In 77 days' time, South Africa will host a second global showpiece when the Rugby World Cup Sevens kicks off in Cape Town.

From 9 to 11 September, the 40 best men's and women's rugby sevens teams will be in action at Cape Town Stadium.

New Zealand will defend both the men's and women's titles they won in San Francisco in 2018, and they will be joined by the Blitzboks and Springbok Women's Sevens team, as well as 22 other men's and 14 other women’s teams.

Pienaar, nowadays a Cape Town resident, said in a statement he was excited about the prospect of South Africa hosting another World Cup.

"It's the first Rugby World Cup we will host since 1995 and I for one can't wait to support the Blitzboks and Springbok Women's Sevens teams in Cape Town in September," said Pienaar.

"The Rugby World Cup Sevens will be a momentous occasion when the eyes of the rugby world will be on South Africa.

"I would like to wish all the teams - but especially our two sides in Green and Gold - all the best for the tournament, when we will yet again show the world what a wonderful country we live in, and what can be achieved when we stand together as South Africans."

2??7?? years ago, something big happened in South Africa7??7?? days from today, we've got another RWC kicking off??? "We will yet again show the world what a wonderful country we live in"?? More here: https://t.co/alBLn0HpGw#TheWordIsComingToCapeTown #RWC7s pic.twitter.com/YsqeUkeO8I

The top eight men's teams and top four women’s teams from the RWC Sevens 2018 in San Francisco, USA, have already secured automatic qualification for the