/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/rugbysevens-day-1_file1_046.jpg "Fans on day one of the Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town, South Africa, on 9 September 2022. (Photo: Leila Dougan)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/rugbysevens-day-3_final-file_205.jpg "Lewis Ormond reacts after a clash with an opponent during the final match of the Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022. (Photo: Leila Dougan)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/rugbysevens-day-1_file3_008.jpg "Fans enjoy the spectacle on day one of the Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 at DHL Stadium. (Photo: Leila Dougan)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/rugbysevens-day-2_file-4_161.jpg "The Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 opening ceremony on 10 September 2022 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo: Leila Dougan)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/rugbysevens-day-2_file-4_173.jpg "A scene from the Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 opening ceremony on 10 September 2022 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo: Leila Dougan)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/rugbysevens-day-2_file1_025.jpg "Fans enter the DHL Stadium at the Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022. (Photo: Leila Dougan")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/rugbysevens-day-2_file1_035.jpg "Fans JP Louw and Randall de Vos enter the DHL Stadium at the Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022. (Photo: Leila Dougan")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/rugbysevens-day-2_file2_075.jpg "D'Shawn Bowen of Canada and Iwan Pyrs Jones of Wales get into an altercation during day two of the Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 Challenge 13/16 Place Match 34 between Canada and Wales at DHL Stadium on 10 September 2022 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo: Leila Dougan)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/rugbysevens-day-2_file3_055.jpg "Moses Leo of New Zealand scores a try during day two of the Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 Championship Quarterfinals match 28 between New Zealand and Argentina on 10 September 2022 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo: Leila Dougan)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/rugbysevens-day-2_file3_153.jpg "Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe of Ireland and Shiray Kaka of New Zealand during day two of the Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 Championship Quarterfinals match 28 between New Zealand and Argentina on 10 September 2022 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo: Leila Dougan)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/rugbysevens-day-3_file-1_018.jpg "JC Pretorius and Luciano Gonzalez on day three of the Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 match between South Africa and Argentina on 11 September 2022 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo: Leila Dougan)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/rugbysevens-day-3_Powell-file_130.jpg "Departing Blitzboks coach Neil Powell gives players a final farewell on the sidelines of the Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 following their final match against Samoa on 11 September 2022 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo: Leila Dougan)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/rugbysevens-day-3_final-file_182.jpg "Kaminieli Rasaku runs for the try line during the final match of the Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 between Fiji and New Zealand. (Photo: Leila Dougan)")
This article is more than 3 years old
PHOTO ESSAY
Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 – the glory, the heartbreak and the fans
The Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 drew more than 105,000 fans to the DHL Stadium in Cape Town over three days – a record for the tournament. For Fiji’s men and Australia’s women there was glory as they were crowned world champions. For the home team and departing Blitzbok coach Neil Powell, there was disappointment and frustration. But it was a wonderful show.
The Fiji men's and the Australian women’s teams celebrate their victory at the Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 on 11 September 2022 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo: Leila Dougan)