2023 World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series – Women's tour

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.

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 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 edit

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 edit

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 edit

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 edit

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

Pool D edit

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 edit

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 edit

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 edit

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 edit

Cup bracket edit

 
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 edit

 
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 edit

 
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 edit

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 edit

Pool D edit

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 edit

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 edit

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 edit

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 edit

Cup bracket edit

 
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 edit

 
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 edit

 
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 edit

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 edit

References edit

  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.

External links edit