Canada’s Women’s and Men’s Sevens rosters named for HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series stop in Cape Town
Rugby 7s Senior Women, Rugby 7s Senior Men
Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team and Men’s Sevens Team rosters have been confirmed for the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2023 stop in Cape Town, South Africa.
December 6, 2022 (Langford, BC) – Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team and Men’s Sevens Team rosters have been confirmed for the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2023 stop in Cape Town, South Africa.
Played at the iconic DHL Stadium, the tournament will take place December 9-11, and is the second Sevens Series stop for the women’s team and the third for the men’s team. Canada’s women’s team will face the USA, France and Japan in Pool C, with the men’s team playing South Africa, France and Fiji in Pool A.
Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team roster that finished ninth in Dubai with a win over Japan in the ninth place play-off will remain the same for Cape Town. Charity Williams, who made her return to international play in Dubai following a long leave due to injury, led Canada offensively in their first stop of the 2023 series along with Keyara Wardley, each contributing 22 points.
“We bounced back well on Day 2 in Dubai, but it comes down to pool play,” said Women’s Sevens Team Head Coach Jack Hanratty. “Our target is to be in the top half of the draw, and we didn’t reach that target. The group has worked very hard over the preseason, and we look forward to Cape Town and getting another chance to compete.”
Elias Ergas will join Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team in Cape Town following an injury to Cooper Coats. The team finished fourteenth in Dubai following tough losses to Kenya in the ninth place quarter final and to Spain in the thirteenth place play-off. After registering no points in Hong Kong, Josiah Morra led the team in Dubai with 25. Kal Sager scored his first ever international try in Canada’s strong win over Uganda in the thirteenth place semi-final.
“We certainly had our ups and downs in Dubai. This week our focus remains on consistency,” said Men’s Sevens Team Assistant Coach Sean White. “This group has accepted every challenge head on over the past three weeks. They take the utmost pride in representing Canada and are pushing each other each day to be better than they were the day before. There’s a belief that’s growing each time we come together.”
Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team will open the tournament against France on Friday December 9 at 2:00 a.m. PT / 5:00 a.m. ET, with Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team opening versus South Africa at 10:03 a.m. PT / 1:03 p.m. ET.
SCHEDULE / COVERAGE
For the most up to date information on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series and live coverage, visit the official website world.rugby/sevens-series. There you will find details regarding the event format, schedule, and the latest news.
WHERE TO WATCH
Broadcast coverage of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series will be available in Canada via CBC. All events are available to live stream via cbcsports.ca, the CBC Sports app, and the free CBC Gem streaming service.
CANADA’S WOMEN’S SEVENS ROSTER
1. Olivia De Couvreur (Ottawa, ON) – Ottawa Irish
2. Krissy Scurfield (Canmore, AB) – University of Victoria
3. Renee Gonzalez (Toronto, ON) – University of Victoria
4. Breanne Nicholas (Blenheim, ON) – Kent Havoc RFC
5. Julia Greenshields (Sarnia, ON) – Sarnia Saints
6. Charity Williams (Toronto, ON) – Markham Irish
7. Florence Symonds (Hong Kong) – University of British Columbia
8. Bianca Farella (Montreal, QC) – Town of Mont Royal RFC
10. Fancy Bermudez (Edmonton, AB) – Nor’wester Athletic Association / Westshore RFC
12. Keyara Wardley (Vulcan, AB) – Not Affiliated
19. Nakisa Levale (Abbotsford, BC) – Abbotsford RFC
21. Olivia Apps (Lindsay, ON) – Lindsay RFC
23. Shalaya Valenzuela (Abbotsford, BC) – Abbotsford RFC
CANADA’S MEN’S SEVENS ROSTER
1. Anton Ngongo (Victoria, BC) – Castaway Wanderers
2. Jake Thiel (Victoria, BC) – James Bay AA
3. D’Shawn Bowen (Toronto, ON) – Pacific Pride
4. Phil Berna (Vancouver, BC) – Vancouver Rowing Club
5. Alex Russell (Chichester, ENG) – McGill University
6. Josiah Morra (Toronto, ON) – Castaway Wanderers / Toronto Saracens
7. Brock Webster (Uxbridge, ON) – Oshawa Vikings RFC
11. Elias Ergas (Vancouver, BC) – University of British Columbia
12. David Richard (Milton, ON) – Mississauga Blues RFC
19. Matthew Oworu (Calgary, AB) – Pacific Pride
23. Thomas Isherwood (Okotoks, AB) – Foothills Lions RFC
33. Kal Sager (Peterborough, ON) – Peterborough Pagans / Trent University
44. Lockie Kratz (Victoria, BC) – Castaways Wanderers / NOLA Gold