FISU men’s competition produces high-scoring opening day.

The opening day of the men’s competition at the 2026 FISU World University Championship Rugby Sevens in Stellenbosch produced a mixture of commanding performances, close contests, and some promising signs ahead of the second day. South Africa, Japan, and Argentina all made strong starts, while Australia survived a late Zimbabwe fightback to secure a narrow victory. Chile also impressed against Norway, while Uganda held off Mexico in a closely fought encounter. With the wind playing a significant role at the Danie Craven Stadium, the teams that adapted best to the conditions were rewarded, setting up an intriguing second day as the pool standings begin to take shape.

With the opening day now complete, the pool standings remain finely poised and the second day will provide a clearer indication of which sides are best placed to progress to the knockout stages. The individual performances have also begun to shape the tournament’s early storylines, with players such as Japan’s Kohki Yoshida, Australia’s Shaune Byrne, South Africa’s Keno Alexander and Zimbabwe’s PK Manyakara among those making their presence felt.

Argentina makes early statement against Zimbabwe
Argentina opened their campaign with a commanding 33-5 victory over Zimbabwe in windy conditions at the Danie Craven Stadium.

Zimbabwe started with promise, but Argentina soon found their rhythm as Nahuel Clausen and Francisco D’Agostino crossed in quick succession to establish a 14-0 advantage. Leonardo Gallardo added both conversions before Zimbabwe’s Owen Musumhi produced several telling breaks to keep his side in the contest.

Gallardo then added a third try just before the interval, converting his own effort to send Argentina into the break 21-0 ahead.

Argentina continued to dominate possession and territory after the restart, turning pressure at the breakdown into attacking opportunities. Pablo Garreton and Juan Martin Godoy added further tries as Argentina underlined their clinical approach.

Zimbabwe’s reward came through PK Manyakara, who produced one of the moments of the match when he broke clear and sprinted approximately 45 metres with an Argentine defender in pursuit before crossing the line.

Scorers:
Argentina 33 (21)
Tries: Nahuel Clausen, Francisco D’Agostino, Leonardo Gallardo, Pablo Garreton, Juan Martín Godoy Cons: Leonardo Gallardo (4)
Zimbabwe 5 (0) Try: PK Manyakara

Japan’s pace too much for Mexico

Japan produced one of the most emphatic attacking displays of the opening day, defeating Mexico 36-0 after leading 17-0 at half-time.

The opening exchanges were evenly contested, but Japan gradually began to impose their pace and skill. Kohki Yoshida and Tatsushi Yabu crossed for early tries, with Yoshida adding a conversion to give Japan a 14-0 lead.

Mexico struggled to turn promising moments into sustained pressure and Japan capitalised with a try from Kohaku Sakamoto on the stroke of half-time.

The second half belonged to Japan. Yabu and Ota Tsuru both crossed for their second tries of the match, while Koshi Hasegawa also added his name to the scoresheet.

Japan’s ability to exploit broken play proved decisive, with Yoshida and Tsuru particularly effective in creating space through sharp footwork and strong running.

Scorers:
Japan 36 (17)
Tries: Kohki Yoshida, Tatsushi Yabu (2), Kohaku Sakamoto, Ota Tsuru (2), Koshi Hasegawa
Cons: Kohki Yoshida (4).
Mexico 0 (0)

South Africa lay down an early marker
South Africa convincingly began their home campaign, defeating Norway 34-0 in front of the Danie Craven Stadium crowd.

The hosts established control early, with Leachim Adams, Keno Alexander and Aaron Swartz crossing during the first half. Ethan Manus converted one of his opportunities as South Africa took a 17-0 lead into the break.

Norway struggled to gain sustained possession as South Africa’s defensive organisation repeatedly forced turnovers and prevented their opponents from building momentum.

Simthembile Zozi continued the home side’s impressive start immediately after the restart, racing through for the fourth try before Manus and Lukhangele Tshayi added further scores.

Norway produced flashes of attacking intent through strong carries from Mathias Hammerseth Herstad and Jens Hestnes Grytevik but could not turn those opportunities into points.

Scorers:
South Africa 34 (17)
Tries: Leachim Adams, Keno Alexander, Aaron Swartz, Simthembile Zozi, Ethan Manus, Lukhangele Tshayi
Cons: Ethan Manus (2).
Norway 0 (0)

Australia withstand Zimbabwe fightback
Australia survived a spirited second-half comeback from Zimbabwe to secure a thrilling 24-21 victory.

The Australians appeared firmly in control after a dominant opening half, taking a 19-5 lead into the interval. Drew Sellers crossed early, while Shaune Byrne proved particularly influential, scoring three tries as Australia repeatedly found gaps in the Zimbabwe defence. Sellers added two conversions.

But Zimbabwe returned from the break with renewed purpose. Liberty Sibanda and Gealan Jaricha crossed as the African side clawed their way back into contention, with Sibanda converting all three of Zimbabwe’s tries.

Australia’s task became even more difficult late in the contest when discipline deserted them, and two yellow cards reduced them numerically. Zimbabwe had an opportunity to snatch victory, but Australia’s defence held firm to secure a valuable three-point win.

Scorers:
Australia 24 (19)
Tries: Drew Sellers, Shaune Byrne (3). Cons: Drew Sellers (2)
Zimbabwe 21 (5)
Tries: PK Manyakara, Liberty Sibanda, Gealan Jaricha
Cons: Liberty Sibanda (3)

Uganda holds off Mexico
Uganda showed composure and discipline to defeat Mexico 14-5, taking a deserved victory after leading 7-0 at half-time.

The Ugandans used the conditions to their advantage during the opening period, controlling possession and territory with the wind at their backs. Mexico struggled to escape their own half as Uganda applied sustained pressure.

The second half became a more closely fought contest, with much of the action taking place between the two 22-metre lines.

Mexico eventually found a way through Uganda’s defence when Mateo Lopez crossed with the final play of the match, but it proved little more than consolation.

Scorers:
Uganda 14 (7)
Tries: Allan Karuhanga, Calvin Kizamba
Cons: Allan Karuhanga (2)
Mexico 5 (0) — Try: Mateo Lopez

Chile finish strongly against Norway
Chile closed out the men’s action with a composed 22-7 victory over Norway.

The South Americans made a fast start, scoring twice inside the opening five minutes through Damian Aranda and Diego Merino to establish a 12-0 advantage, with Martin Palma adding the conversion.

Norway responded through Sindre Storrusten before half-time, with Idar Kjaerstad adding the conversion to reduce the deficit to 12-7. Chile regained control after the interval, with Fernando Rossi and Santiago de Bonnafos adding unanswered tries to pull clear.

Norway could not reproduce their first-half response as Chile managed the closing stages with maturity to secure an important opening-day victory.

Scorers:
Chile 22 (12)
Tries: Damian Aranda, Diego Merino, Fernando Rossi, Santiago de Bonnafos
Cons: Martin Palma
Norway 7 (7)
Try: Sindre Storrusten
Con: Idar Kjaerstad