(Source: Blitzbokke.com)

No sooner had the 2009/2010 season ended, then the International Rugby Board (IRB) released the dates for the 2010/2011 Sevens World Series season.

Despite attempts from other cities to lure the SA leg to their corner of the Republic, the IRB has confirmed that the beautiful city of George will once again host the Emirates Airline SA Sevens tournament for the ninth time on 10 – 11 December at Outeniqua Park.

According to the new IRB Sevens World Series calendar for 2010/11, the World Series will visit five continents over a busy six month period. The 12th season of the popular World Series kicks off on 3-4 December in Dubai, followed by the South African event at George a week later and it will reach a climax at Edinburgh in Scotland on 28-29 May 2011.

The one change from the 2009/10 schedule is that Australia’s tournament in Adelaide reverts back to the weekend after the Hong Kong Sevens.

The two previous Series campaigns were both decided on the last day of the eight tournament showpiece, with the Springbok Sevens lifting the title for the first time in 2009 and Samoa doing the same just a few days ago at Murrayfield, after they beat England in a dramatic semi-final clash which included two periods of extra-time.

Delhi 2010

In announcing the new World Series schedule, the IRB also confirmed the competition dates for Sevens at the forthcoming Commonwealth Games in India. The Sevens rugby competition will take place over two days on 11-12 October in Delhi.

Steven Roos, Tournament Director of the Emirates Airline SA Sevens, said the thrills of the past Series have already sparked a lot of interest in the George event.

“The Emirates Airline SA Sevens is already a landmark event on our rugby calendar, but the tournament continues to grow in stature. SARU, the City of George and our other sponsors are again looking forward to another hugely successful and entertaining international event,”said Roos.

2010/2011 IRB Sevens World Series

Dubai, UAE                             3-4 December 2010

George, South Africa            10-11 December 2010

Wellington, New Zealand     4-5 February 2011

Las Vegas, USA                    12-13 February 2011

Hong Kong, (China SAR)  25, 26, 27 March 2011

Adelaide, Australia              2-3 April 2011

London, England                 21-22 May 2011

Edinburgh, Scotland           28-29 May 2011

The 2010 Commonwealth Games Sevens competition will be held in Delhi, India on 11-12 October 2010

It’s been a few days since what was for many of us, one of the best Hong Kong Sevens tournaments. 

Most of us have had time to recuperate after, shall we just call it “a busy” weekend.  The rest and relaxation that followed the weekend allowed us (read: me) to recall some of the more memorable events and gestures over the weekend. Here’s one of mine:

I was sitting in my usual place in the media working area upstairs on the West Stand of the Hong Kong Stadium.  Behind me sat a couple of Scottish lads and their American friend, whom I think is called Mark (with the French surname) who lives in Singapore.  Mark was the designated “fetcher” who was entrusted to fight the crowds to get to KFC and deliver his meals to his companions. 

Upon returning from one such trips, I was surprised with a very clandestine tap on the shoulder followed by a friendly ”Here you go Buddy,” only to be met with a welcoming pint of the sponsors’ brew!  (Patrons are not allowed to consume alcoholic beverages on the upper tiers of the Stadium).

Turns out Mark had been buying several items on the KFC menu so that he’d be given a handy carrier bag in which he would ”smuggle” in the contraband brew!

I had several taps on my shoulder in the course of Saturday morning…

Cheers to Mark and his lovely lass.

(Featured pic: Hugh Bladen in the Boerewors Corner)

Colleen Thane, one of the most patriotic South Africans you will find in Hong Kong,  corrected me the other day when I referred to the spot on the main level of the Hong Kong Stadium where the Saffas congregate during the HK Sevens as the “South African Corner.” 

In fact, she said, these days it is referred to as the Boerewors Bend.  She continued to say that:

“It used to be called “The Castle Corner, until some sod stole our 20 foot banner some years back!”

Well Colleen, in the interest of all those Saffas who are already planning their 2011 trip to the Hong Kong Sevens, this is where you want to be:

In our oppinion, Colleen Thane should be the un-official Mayoress of the Boerewor Bend!  She’s the Saffa blowing the Vuvuzela in the picture slideshow below.

Here are some pics we took of Saffas in Boerewors Bend over the last few years:

Here at Howzit-HongKong.com and especially over at BlitzBokke.com, we concentrate a lot on the fans and their experiences and shenanigans at the world’s premier Sevens event, the Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens. 

I wouldn’t exactly say that we neglect the on-field action, but the simple reason for is that we don’t have the access (yet) to pitch-side to catch all the action from that side.  We also don’t have the skills (yet) nor the equipment (yet, again) to do real justice to that profession.  Believe me, there were some real talent snapping away at the Hong Kong Stadium this last weekend.  I saw their tools and yes… they’re HUGE.

However, what we do have (other than said skills) are friends with connections.  What can I say: we’re from Cape Town ek sê!  Our friends-with-connections are from Elite Step Asia and they gave us these magnificent on-field pictures to share with all of you.

I am always amazed at the detailed statistical analysis of every game that is circulated to us in the media enclosure.  Based on that, it is probably not unbelievable that the International Rugby Board has records of every single try ever scored since the inception of the Sevens World Series.

At the Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens this past weekend, Russian Vladimir Ostroushko had the honour of scoring the 24 000th try.  Try saying that a few times!  Here is that try as well as some other landmarks that were passed in Hong Kong:  

(Video from the IRB)

Although South Africa left the Territory without any silverware, the 2010 Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens again didn’t fail to amaze and left me leaving the Hong Kong Stadium with goosebumps. 

Great Sevens rugby, fantastic organisation, brilliant fans, spectacular bands, entertainment and fireworks at the end all worked together to help maintain the SAR’s reputation as the premier stop on the IRB Sevens World Series circuit. 

The presence of the heads of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Internation Rugby Board (IRB) would undoubtedly have helped the cause of Sevens Rugby in the Olympic fold.

Lastly, the local Boys’ glorious victory earlier tonight made this year’s Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens so much sweeter for friend and foe alike.

Thank you Hong Kong.   I would say “see you next year” but alas…

You are now my home-away-from-home.

Marrying of new and old: hip hop and the Dragon Dance (Pic: Mike Jansen)

Sloppy handling by the BlitzBokke, coupled with a penalty count of 4 to 1 allowed Australia to clinch the Plate Final at the 2010 Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens here tonight.

The South African Springbok Sevens side had to settle for second place yet again after losing to Fiji in the Cup Final last year.

The final score Australia 12 – 7 South Africa.

It’s a lovely sunny day up here at the Hong Kong Stadium and the fans are steadily streaming in.  Travelling in on the train this morning, I couldn’t help but think that the Sevens weekend here in Hong Kong is perhaps the only time when people can take the MTR (trains) dressed up in colorful, shiny afro hairdo’s, Roman Centurions or North American Idians without having the other communters stop and stare.

A lovely day for an upset or two on the pitch.

(Thanks to the lovely Aunty from back home who allowed me to take her picture.  I hope your daughter managed to catch the pic and that you and your hubby enjoyed your time here in Hong Kong!  Mike Jansen)

(Pictures taken @ 09:45 Sunday March 28,2010)

I don’t know if it’s just my observations, but there seems to be a lot more Saffas, or like a Brit called us the other day: Yarpies, in the Hong Kong Stadium this year. 

The usual “South African Corner” next to where the players enter the pitch is filled with Green & Gold as well as rainbow colors, while there are clear “green patches” to be seen on the infamous South Stand.

On one of my regular intrusions into the South Stand, I bumped into “Madiba” who promptly introduced my to his friends sporting what I would call “The Best Banner on the South Stand.” (Picture on the right)

All said and done:  “Welcome to Hong Kong, mense!”

Bokke Bo!

The Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens starts just after 4pm today and Howzit-HongKong.com & our sister-site BlitzBokke.com is raring to bring you all the action as it happens from the Hong Kong Stadium.

The Springboks close Day 1 of the Sevens with their game against African neighbors Zimbabwe.

BlitzBokke.com will be covering the Sevens with blow-by-blow accounts of all the Springboks’ games, with updates of the scores of all other games as it happens.

All you have to do is go to BlitzBokke.com for updates and pictures from in and around the Stadium.

Go Bokke!