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SCMP Sport

The talking is done, the planning is over and all that is left is for the fans to enter the stadium and the players to get onto the pitch.
It’s 50th anniversary Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, and as usual there is plenty you should know about the three days that lie ahead.
So, here’s our handy guide to some things you should know on Friday.
1 It’s a sell-out
Anyone hoping to grab a three-day ticket is going to be disappointed, according to organisers, who say they have all sold out.
All that remains are single-day tickets on resale site Klook, or what you can find on the various rugby club WhatsApp groups.
Even then, you’ll need some luck if you want to get in on Sunday, with those reportedly almost all gone.

2 We like to party
The Vengaboys hit could almost be the soundtrack to any Sevens since the first one in 1976, sadly fans of the Dutch Eurodance group will have to wait a little until Saturday to battle with the complicated lyrics to the band’s other tune, Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom.
Instead, Friday’s entertainment comes in the form of K-pop girl group Primrose and the Seoul-based Filipino singer-songwriter Gwyn Dorada.
They will provide the backing to the evening’s opening ceremony, itself the only respite in a schedule that sees games start at 10.30am and carry on until 9.30pm.
3 Boks’ time to shine
They’ve never won in Hong Kong, but South Africa’s men come into the inaugural HSBC SVNS World Championship as this year’s series winners and with a season of success behind them.
The Blitzboks open their campaign against Uruguay in Pool A at 11.39am and face Spain at 2.49pm. Defending Hong Kong champions Argentina are the fourth team in the pool, and the Pumas take on the Boks on Saturday.
Confused by the three-legged World Championship format, you’re not the only one. South Africa captain Impi Visser is not a fan.
4 Melrose Claymores
World Rugby’s ridiculous approach to Sevens means more sides are shut out of the sport than included, and that has left Hong Kong’s men and women locked out of their own tournament for another year.
So, to keep the local fans happy and the prestige the global governing body gets from riding the city’s coattails intact, we have the Melrose Claymores contest.
Hardly thrilling, but it adds some fun to the monotony of the weekend. This year, the men take on China and Japan, while the women face Thailand and Denmark, who are making their first appearance.
5 Local links
Every year we seemingly get a player running out for one of the big teams that learned to play the game in Hong Kong, and this week is no exception.
The USA’s Ryan Santos, who was born in the Philippines, came through the ranks at Valley and is sure to have some fans in the crowd.
As with many youngsters in Hong Kong, playing in the city’s sevens tournament was a childhood dream.


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The men’s and women’s captains of  the teams playing at this year’s Hong Kong Sevens enjoy a moment of fun before the serious business begins. Photo: Sam Tsang

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Nanairo Prism Fukuoka’s Seika Ohashi evades a pair of tackles in the women’s cup final. Photo: Karma Lo

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Tribute act Babba perform during the Wednesday night meeting at Happy Valley Racecourse. Photo: Edmond So

The theme of the week is rugby, with some racing thrown in. Photo: Edmond So

Sport

Rugby

Blitzboks have never won Hong Kong title, but go into weekend having won HSBC SVNS Series. Only single-day tickets left, with Sunday almost gone


Blitzboks have never won Hong Kong title, but go into weekend having won HSBC SVNS Series. Only single-day tickets left, with Sunday almost gone.


Hong Kong Sevens: Explainers

HSBC

Cathay Pacific

Boks chasing first title, tickets sell out: 5 things to know on day 1 of Hong Kong Sevens

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Blitzboks have never won Hong Kong title, but go into weekend having won HSBC SVNS Series. Only single-day tickets left, with Sunday almost gone

1 It’s a sell-out

Blitzboks have never won Hong Kong title, but go into weekend having won HSBC SVNS Series. Only single-day tickets left, with Sunday almost gone