South Africa is one of 11 nations to have expressed an interest in hosting the 2022 Rugby World Cup Sevens.

World Rugby confirmed that 11 national unions, including South Africa, Argentina, the Cayman Islands, France, Germany, India, Jamaica, Malaysia, Qatar, Scotland and Tunisia have confirmed their interest before the deadline on 31 March.

These unions have all been issued formal bid application documents and now have up to 16 July 2019 to submit a response.

The host nation will be announced on 29 October.

SA Rugby CEO, Jurie Roux, said if successful the tournament will be hosted in the Mother City at the Cape Town Stadium.

‘Cape Town is served by an international airport with direct flights from all the major hubs and is a truly global international tourism destination with the infrastructure to accommodate an event of this scale,’ Roux said.

‘The city’s natural beauty offers a spectacular backdrop for a spectacular rugby event. South Africa’s ability to host very successful World Cups in rugby, soccer and cricket, to name a few, is well documented.’

The 2018 edition in San Francisco was a resounding success, delivering extensive sporting, social and economic benefits for the wider Bay Area, and showcasing the world’s best men’s and women’s sevens players to an unprecedented domestic and global audience.

The 2022 edition will be played during the September and October window, and will once again comprise 24 men’s and 16 women’s teams, playing over three days at one venue.

Photo: @Blitzboks/Twitter