Blitzboks captain Impi Visser says sevens is going in the wrong direction.
The sevens circuit has undergone significant changes since the global lockdown, when there were 16 participating teams, with World Rugby introducing a new three-division series model from the 2025-26 season.
The overhaul reduced the number of teams competing in the top tier from 12 to eight, while 12 teams now contest the season-ending World Championship.
Visser’s comments come after the Blitzboks completed a dream season by winning both the SVNS regular-season series and World Championship, claiming five titles across nine tournaments.
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Despite that success, the veteran Blitzbok believes the format changes have hurt the game.
“The 2022, 2023 and 2024 seasons were some of the toughest and best that men’s sevens rugby has ever had,” Visser told Rapport.
“There were at least nine teams that were able to win a tournament over a weekend. Nowhere in history have you had that.”
Visser pointed to the recent three-event World Championship, which featured 12 teams, as proof that a larger field creates a better spectacle.
“In the World Championship we had three different winners. We won Hong Kong, Australia won Valladolid and France won Bordeaux,” he said.
“It shows that the men’s sevens product is in a very good place. But I don’t think it’s going in the right direction.”
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The 31-year-old, who has represented the Blitzboks since 2018, believes more teams create greater unpredictability.
“We saw when the USA, Uruguay, Kenya and Germany joined how nice it was to have four other teams there,” he said. “Teams that can cause a stir.
“You don’t want to see the same thing every weekend. You want an unpredictable game. Anyone can win the title. It keeps the crowd on their toes.
“I don’t think the product that’s out there right now is the best.”
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
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Blitzboks captain Impi Visser says sevens is going in the wrong direction.
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