2023 World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series – Women's tour

2023 World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series
Women's tour – Series II
Hosts
Date20–30 April 2023
Nations12
Final positions
Champions South Africa
Runners-up Belgium
Third China
← 2022
2024 →

The 2023 Challenger Series for women's rugby sevens teams was the second season of the second-tier circuit that allowed a promotion pathway to the World Rugby Sevens Series.

The women's challenger tour had twelve national teams competing and was played as two tournaments on 20–22 and 28–30 April 2023 in Stellenbosch, South Africa,[1] with the winner gaining direct entry to the 2023–24 World Rugby Sevens series.

Teams

There were 12 women's national teams competing in the Challenger Series for 2023.[2]

Date qualified Means of qualification Nation
30 April 2022 2022 Africa Women's Sevens  South Africa
 Madagascar
11 June 2022 2022 Sudamérica Rugby Women's Sevens  Colombia
3 July 2022 2022 Rugby Europe Women's Sevens Series  Poland
 Belgium
 Czech Republic
9 October 2022 2022 South American Games [a]  Paraguay
14 November 2022 2022 RAN Women's Super Sevens  Mexico
20 November 2022 2022 Oceania Women's Sevens Challenge  Papua New Guinea
27 November 2022 2022 Asia Rugby Women's Sevens Series  China
 Thailand
 Hong Kong
Totals 7 12
Notes
  1. ^ When the Challenger Series schedule was announced in December 2022, the second qualifying team from South America had not been determined.[2] It was not until a month later that Paraguay's place was confirmed, based on their second-place finish at the South American Games back in October 2022.[3]

Schedule

The official schedule for the 2023 World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series was:[4]

2023 Itinerary
Leg Stadium City Dates Winner
1 Markotter Stadium Stellenbosch 20–22 April 2023  South Africa
2 28–30 April 2023  South Africa

Standings

2023 World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series – Women's Series II
 
Pos
Event 
Team
Leg 1
Leg 2 		Total
points
 
1  South Africa 20 20 40
2  Belgium 18 18 36
3  China 16 16 32
4  Poland 14 12 26
5  Czech Republic 12 14 26
6  Thailand 10 4 14
7  Hong Kong 4 10 14
8  Colombia 6 8 14
9  Madagascar 8 3 11
10  Paraguay 1 6 7
11  Mexico 3 1 4
12  Papua New Guinea 2 2 4

Pool stage – Leg 1

All times are in SAST, South African Standard Time: (UTC+2).

Pool D

Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts Qualification
1  Poland 3 3 0 0 72 26 +46 9 Advance to quarter-finals
2  Colombia 3 2 0 1 66 50 +16 7
3  Hong Kong 3 1 0 2 29 58 −29 5
4  Paraguay 3 0 0 3 31 64 −33 3
Source: World Rugby
20 April
11:22
Colombia 15–12 Hong Kong
Try: Laura Mejia
Valentina Tapias
Leidy García		ReportTry: Maggie Au Yeung
Rosanna Wright
Con: Rosanna Wright
Markotter Stadium
Referee: Doriane Domenjo
20 April
11:44
Poland 15–7 Paraguay
Try: Katarzyna Paszczyk
Małgorzata Kołdej
Ilona Zaishliuk		ReportTry: Cecilia Benza
Con: Lucero Viveros
Markotter Stadium
Referee: Giana Viljoen
20 April
14:19
Colombia 32–12 Paraguay
Try: Camila Lopera (2)
Leidy Soto (2)
Valentina Tapias
Madi Cordoba
Con: Camila Lopera		ReportTry: Sofia Armoa
Maira Mendez
Con: Lucero Viveros
Markotter Stadium
Referee: Precious Pazani
20 April
14:46
Poland 31–0 Hong Kong
Try: Małgorzata Kołdej (3)
Tamara Czumer-Iwin
Ilona Zaishliuk
Con: Natalia Pamięta (2)
Julia Druzgała		Report
Markotter Stadium
Referee: Ano Kuwai
21 April
09:22
Hong Kong 17–12 Paraguay
Try: Natasha OLSON-THORNE
Jess HO Wai-on
Micayla Baltazar
Con: Rosanna Wright		ReportTry: Cinthia Cristaldo Santander
Maria Gauto
Con: Lucero Viveros
Markotter Stadium
Referee: Doriane Domenjo
21 April
11:32
Poland 26–19 Colombia
Try: Anna Klichowska (2)
Ilona Zaishliuk (2)
Con: Natalia Pamięta (2)
Julia Druzgała		ReportTry: Camila Lopera
Karina Michelle Bagui Prado (2)
Con: Camila Lopera
Laura Mejia
Markotter Stadium
Referee: Jess Ling

Pool E

Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts Qualification
1  South Africa 3 2 1 0 57 12 +45 8 Advance to quarter-finals
2  Czech Republic 3 1 1 1 24 21 +3 6
3  Madagascar 3 1 0 2 38 33 +5 5
4  Mexico 3 1 0 2 14 67 −53 5
Source: World Rugby
20 April
09:00
Madagascar 26–7 Mexico
Try: Claudia Rasoarimalala
Ericka Razakaniaina
Ginah Raharimalala
Jinah Kelly Razanamahefa
Con: Patricia Ravololonirina (2)
Zoanah Fanantenana		ReportTry: Daniela Alvarado
Con: Alessandra Bender
Markotter Stadium
Referee: Giana Viljoen
20 April
09:22
South Africa 7–7 Czech Republic
Try: Simamkele Namba
Con: Eloise Webb		ReportTry: Anežka-Marta Sládková
Con: Julie Doležilová
Markotter Stadium
Referee: Doriane Domenjo
20 April
12:16
Madagascar 7–12 Czech Republic
Try: Jinah Kelly Razanamahefa
Con: Jinah Kelly Razanamahefa		ReportTry: Anežka-Marta Sládková (2)
Con: Julie Doležilová
Markotter Stadium
Referee: Zoe Naude
20 April
12:38
South Africa 36–0 Mexico
Try: Mathrin Simmers (2)
Nadine Roos
Eloise Webb
Ayanda Malinga
Simamkele Namba
Con: Eloise Webb (3)		Report
Markotter Stadium
Referee: Jess Ling
21 April
09:00
Mexico 7–5 Czech Republic
Report
Markotter Stadium
Referee: Ano Kuwai
21 April
11:10
South Africa 14–5 Madagascar
Try: Zintle Mpupha
Marlize de Bruin
Con: Nadine Roos (2)		ReportTry: Ericka Razakaniaina
Markotter Stadium
Referee: Precious Pazani

Pool F

Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts Qualification
1  China 3 3 0 0 91 0 +91 9 Advance to quarter-finals
2  Belgium 3 2 0 1 46 45 +1 7
3  Thailand 3 1 0 2 48 45 +3 5
4  Papua New Guinea 3 0 0 3 19 121 −102 3
Source: World Rugby
20 April
09:00
Belgium 27–12 Papua New Guinea
Try: Cecile Blondiau (2)
Emilie Musch (2)
Noemie van de Poele
Con: Ella Amory		ReportTry: Fatima Rama
Alice Alois
Con: Kymlie Rapilla
Markotter Stadium
Referee: Jess Ling
20 April
09:22
China 12–0 Thailand
Try: Chen Keyi (2)
Con: Chen Keyi		Report
Markotter Stadium
Referee: Zoe Naude
20 April
12:16
Belgium 19–0 Thailand
Try: Cecile Blondiau (2)
Emilie Musch
Con: Nele Pien
Heloise Stevins		Report
Markotter Stadium
Referee: Ano Kuwai
20 April
12:38
China 46–0 Papua New Guinea
Try: Chen Keyi (2)
Yan Meiling
Liu Xiaoqian (2)
Wang Xiao
Gao Yueying
Liao Jiuli
Con: Gu Yaoyao (2) Liao Jiuli		Report
Markotter Stadium
Referee: Precious Pazani
21 April
09:00
Papua New Guinea 7–48 Thailand
Try: Fatima Rama
Con: Lynette Aua		ReportTry: Uthumporn Liamrat
Laksina Nawakaew
Jeeraporn Peerabunanon (2)
Rattanaporn Wittayaronnayut (2)
Nantadchaporn Yodya Jutartip Yimyaem
Con: Panpassa Jaijarim Thanaporn Huankid (3)
Markotter Stadium
Referee: Zoe Naude
21 April
09:22
China 33–0 Belgium
Try: Chen Keyi
Gu Yaoyao
Liu Xiaoqian (2)
Zhou Yan
Con: Chen Keyi (2)
Gu Yaoyao (2)		Report
Markotter Stadium
Referee: Giana Viljoen

Ranking of third-placed teams

Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts Qualification
1  Madagascar 3 1 0 2 38 33 +5 5 Advance to quarter-finals
2  Thailand 3 1 0 2 48 45 +3 5
3  Hong Kong 3 1 0 2 29 58 −29 5
Source: World Rugby

Knockout stage – Leg 1

Cup bracket

 
Quarter-finalsSemi-finalsFinal
 
          
 
21 April – Markotter Stadium
 
 
 South Africa29
 
22 April – Markotter Stadium
 
 Thailand12
 
 South Africa5
 
21 April – Markotter Stadium
 
 China0
 
 China32
 
22 April – Markotter Stadium
 
 Colombia0
 
 South Africa17
 
21 April – Markotter Stadium
 
 Belgium10
 
 Czech Republic17
 
22 April – Markotter Stadium
 
 Belgium26
 
 Belgium24
 
21 April – Markotter Stadium
 
 Poland19 Third place
 
 Poland19
 
22 April – Markotter Stadium
 
 Madagascar5
 
 China14
 
 
 Poland10
 

Cup quarter-finals
21 April
17:50
South Africa 29–12 Thailand
Try: Zintle Mpupha
Ayanda Malinga (3)
Marlize de Bruin
Con: Nadine Roos
Eloise Webb		ReportTry: Nantadchaporn Yodya (2)
Con: Passorn Jaengjob
Markotter Stadium
Referee: Jess Ling
21 April
18:15
China 32-0 Colombia
Try: Chen Keyi
Liu Xiaoqian (3)
Hu Yu
Zhou Yan
Con: Chen Keyi		Report
Markotter Stadium
Referee: Precious Pazani
21 April
20:02
Czech Republic 17–26 Belgium
Try: Julie Doležilová
Anežka-Marta Sládková
Tereza Baťhová
Con: Petra Vacková		ReportTry: Margaux Lalli
Cecile Blondiau (2)
Manon Nairac
Con: Ella Amory (3)
Markotter Stadium
Referee: Doriane Domenjo
21 April
20:30
Poland 19–5 Madagascar
Try: Hanna Maliszewska
Ilona Zaishliuk (2)
Con: Natalia Pamięta
Julia Druzgała		ReportTry: Claudia Rasoarimalala
Markotter Stadium
Referee: Giana Viljoen
Cup semi-finals
22 April
09:54
South Africa 5–0 China
Try: Simamkele NambaReport
Markotter Stadium
Referee: Ano Kuwai
22 April
10:16
Belgium 24–19 Poland
Try: Margaux Lalli (2)
Cecile Blondiau
Emilie Musch
Con: Nele Pien (2)		ReportTry: Małgorzata Kołdej (2)
Ilona Zaishliuk
Con: Natalia Pamięta (2)
Markotter Stadium
Referee: Jess Ling
Third-place final
22 April
11:46
China 14–10 Poland
Try: Yan Meiling
Liu Xiaoqian
Con: Gu Yaoyao (2)		ReportTry: Małgorzata Kołdej
Julia Druzgała
Markotter Stadium
Referee: Doriane Domenjo
Cup final
22 April
12:33
South Africa 17–10 Belgium
Try: Nadine Roos
Ayanda Malinga
Marlize de Bruin
Con: Libbie Janse van Rensburg		ReportTry: Nele Pien
Emilie Musch
Markotter Stadium
Referee: Jess Ling

5th–8th bracket

 
5th-place semi-finals5th-place final
 
      
 
22 April – Markotter Stadium
 
 
 Thailand19
 
22 April – Markotter Stadium
 
 Colombia5
 
 Thailand10
 
22 April – Markotter Stadium
 
 Czech Republic34
 
 Czech Republic10
 
 
 Madagascar5
 
7th-place final
 
 
22 April – Markotter Stadium
 
 
 Colombia12
 
 
 Madagascar14
5th-place semi-finals
22 April
08:00
Thailand 19–5 Colombia
Try: Uthumporn Liamrat (2)
Panpassa Jaijarim
Con: Panpassa Jaijarim
Passorn Jaengjob		ReportTry: Leidy García
Markotter Stadium
Referee: Giana Viljoen
22 April
08:00
Czech Republic 10–5 Madagascar
Try: Julie Doležilová
Kristýna Plevová
Con: Precious Pazani		ReportTry: Monica Rasoloniaina
Markotter Stadium
5th-place final
22 April
11:52
Thailand 10–34 Czech Republic
Try: Laksina Nawakaew
Narathip Maneesai		ReportTry: Kristýna Riegertová (3)
Anežka-Marta Sládková (2)
Veronika Oupicová
Con: Julie Doležilová
Pavlina Cuprova
Markotter Stadium
Referee: Zoe Naude
7th-place final
22 April
11:52
Colombia 12–14 Madagascar
Try: Daniela Alzate
Leidy García
Con: Laura Mejia		ReportTry: Joelà Mirasoa Fenohasina
Monica Rasoloniaina
Con: Ericka Razakaniaina
Jinah Kelly Razanamahefa
Markotter Stadium
Referee: Precious Pazani

9th–12th bracket

 
9th-place semi-finals9th-place final
 
      
 
21 April – Markotter Stadium
 
 
 Hong Kong44
 
22 April – Markotter Stadium
 
 Papua New Guinea7
 
 Hong Kong15
 
21 April – Markotter Stadium
 
 Mexico12
 
 Mexico19
 
 
 Paraguay5
 
11th-place final
 
 
22 April – Markotter Stadium
 
 
 Papua New Guinea10
 
 
 Paraguay5
9th-place semi-finals
22 April
10:44
Hong Kong 44–7 Papua New Guinea
Try: Natasha Olson-Thorne (3)
Nam Ka Man
Rosanna Wright (2)
Gabriella Rivers (2)
Con: Rosanna Wright (2)		ReportTry: Fatima Rama
Con: Sharon Kobor
Markotter Stadium
Referee: Ano Kuwai
22 April
11:06
Mexico 19–5 Paraguay
Try: Zoe Tuyú
Maria Pruijn (2)
Con: Alessandra Bender (2)		ReportTry: Sofia Armoa
Markotter Stadium
Referee: Zoe Naude
11th-place final
22 April
9:54
Papua New Guinea 10–5 Paraguay
Try: Kymlie Rapilla
Alice Alois		ReportTry: Cinthia Cristaldo Santander
Markotter Stadium
Referee: Doriane Domenjo
9th-place final
22 April
10:16
Hong Kong 15–12 Mexico
Try: Natasha Olson-Thorne (2)
Georgia Rivers		ReportTry: Laura Rodríguez
Alessandra Bender
Con: Alessandra Bender
Markotter Stadium
Referee: Zoe Naude

Placings – Leg 1

Leg 1 Summary
Position Team Pld W L D
1st  South Africa 6 5 0 1
2nd  Belgium 6 4 2 0
3rd  China 6 5 1 0
4th  Poland 6 4 2 0
5th  Czech Republic 6 3 2 1
6th  Thailand 6 2 4 0
7th  Madagascar 6 2 4 0
8th  Colombia 6 2 4 0
9th  Hong Kong 5 3 2 0
10th  Mexico 5 2 3 0
11th  Papua New Guinea 5 1 4 0
12th  Paraguay 5 0 5 0

Pool stage – Leg 2

Pool D

Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts Qualification
1  South Africa 3 3 0 0 86 5 +81 9 Advance to quarter-finals
2  Paraguay 3 1 0 2 33 53 −20 5
3  Madagascar 3 1 0 2 24 45 −21 5
4  Thailand 3 1 0 2 31 71 −40 5
Source: World Rugby
28 April
11:22
Thailand 19–7 Madagascar
Report
Markotter Stadium
Referee: Ano Kuwai
28 April
11:44
South Africa 29–0 Paraguay
Report
Markotter Stadium
Referee: Precious Pazani
28 April
14:19
Thailand 12–26 Paraguay
Report
Markotter Stadium
Referee: Doriane Domenjo
28 April
14:46
South Africa 19–5 Madagascar
Report
Markotter Stadium
Referee: Jess Ling
29 April
9:22
Madagascar 12–7 Paraguay
Report
Markotter Stadium
Referee: Doriane Domenjo
29 April
11:32
South Africa 38–0 Thailand
Report
Markotter Stadium
Referee: Ano Kuwai

Pool E

Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts Qualification
1  Belgium 3 3 0 0 74 10 +64 9 Advance to quarter-finals
2  Czech Republic 3 2 0 1 44 46 −2 7
3  Colombia 3 1 0 2 41 43 −2 5
4  Papua New Guinea 3 0 0 3 17 77 −60 3
Source: World Rugby
28 April
09:00
Czech Republic 24–17 Colombia
Report
Markotter Stadium
Referee: Ano Kuwai
28 April
09:22
Belgium 43–0 Papua New Guinea
Report
Markotter Stadium
Referee: Giana Viljoen
28 April
12:16
Czech Republic 15–10 Papua New Guinea
Report
Markotter Stadium
Referee: Zoe Naude
28 April
12:38
Belgium 12–5 Colombia
Report
Markotter Stadium
Referee: Doriane Domenjo
29 April
09:00
Colombia 7–19 Papua New Guinea
Report
Markotter Stadium
Referee: Jess Ling
29 April
11:10
Belgium 19–5 Czech Republic
Report
Markotter Stadium
Referee: Zoe Naude

Pool F

Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts Qualification
1  China 3 3 0 0 96 14 +82 9 Advance to quarter-finals
2  Poland 3 1 1 1 63 48 +15 6
3  Hong Kong 3 1 1 1 36 53 −17 6
4  Mexico 3 0 0 3 21 101 −80 3
Source: World Rugby
28 April
9:00
Poland 17–17 Hong Kong
Report
Markotter Stadium
Referee: Precious Pazani
28 April
9:22
China 43–7 Mexico
Report
Markotter Stadium
Referee: Zoe Naude
28 April
12:16
Poland 39–7 Mexico
Report
Markotter Stadium
Referee: Jess Ling
28 April
12:38
China 29–0 Hong Kong
Report
Markotter Stadium
Referee: Giana Viljoen
29 April
9:00
Hong Kong 19–7 Mexico
Report
Markotter Stadium
Referee: Precious Pazani
29 April
10:38
China 24–7 Poland
Report
Markotter Stadium
Referee: Giana Viljoen

Ranking of third-placed teams

Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts Qualification
1  Hong Kong 3 1 1 1 36 53 −17 6 Advance to quarter-finals
2  Colombia 3 1 0 2 41 43 −2 5
3  Madagascar 3 1 0 2 24 45 −21 5
Source: World Rugby

Knockout stage – Leg 2

Cup bracket

 
Quarter-finalsSemi-finalsFinal
 
          
 
29 April – Markotter Stadium
 
 
 Belgium40
 
30 April – Markotter Stadium
 
 Hong Kong5
 
 Belgium22
 
29 April – Markotter Stadium
 
 China5
 
 China39
 
30 April – Markotter Stadium
 
 Paraguay0
 
 Belgium14
 
29 April – Markotter Stadium
 
 South Africa17
 
 Czech Republic17
 
30 April – Markotter Stadium
 
 Poland5
 
 Czech Republic0
 
29 April – Markotter Stadium
 
 South Africa24 Third place
 
 South Africa31
 
30 April – Markotter Stadium
 
 Colombia0
 
 China31
 
 
 Czech Republic15
 

5th–8th bracket

 
5th-place semi-finals5th-place final
 
      
 
22 April – Markotter Stadium
 
 
 Hong Kong12
 
22 April – Markotter Stadium
 
 Paraguay5
 
 Hong Kong10
 
22 April – Markotter Stadium
 
 Poland24
 
 Poland14
 
 
 Colombia12
 
7th-place final
 
 
22 April – Markotter Stadium
 
 
 Paraguay0
 
 
 Colombia24

9th–12th bracket

 
9th-place semi-finals9th-place final
 
      
 
21 April – Markotter Stadium
 
 
 Madagascar24
 
22 April – Markotter Stadium
 
 Mexico0
 
 Madagascar14
 
21 April – Markotter Stadium
 
 Thailand22
 
 Thailand34
 
 
 Papua New Guinea0
 
11th-place final
 
 
22 April – Markotter Stadium
 
 
 Mexico10
 
 
 Papua New Guinea24

Placings – Leg 2

Leg 2 Summary
Position Team Pld W L D
1st  South Africa 6 6 0 0
2nd  Belgium 6 5 1 0
3rd  China 6 4 2 0
4th  Czech Republic 6 3 3 0
5th  Poland 6 3 2 1
6th  Hong Kong 6 2 3 1
7th  Colombia 6 2 4 0
8th  Paraguay 6 1 5 0
9th  Thailand 5 1 4 0
10th  Madagascar 5 2 3 0
11th  Papua New Guinea 5 1 4 0
12th  Mexico 5 1 4 0

See also

References

  1. ^ "World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series 2023 Schedule Confirmed – Stellenbosch Hosts". rugbyasia247. 3 March 2023.
  2. ^ a b "World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series 2023 schedule announced". World Rugby. 21 December 2022.
  3. ^ "Las chicas de Paraguay viajarán a Sudáfrica" [The girls from Paraguay will travel to South Africa]. Sudamérica Rugby (in Spanish). 30 January 2023.
  4. ^ "World Rugby Challenger Series". world.rugby. World Rugby.