A total number of 24 teams will take part in the two day tournament, with the pool phase scheduled for Monday, 1 December and the knockout phase, followed by the all-important finals on Tuesday, 2 December.
The 24 teams in alphabetical order are:
Cape Peninsula University of Technology • Central University of Technology • Durban University of Technology • Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (George Campus) • Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (Port Elizabeth) • North West University (Pukke) • North West University (Vaal) • Polytechnic of Namibia • Rhodes University • Tshwane University of Technology • University of Cape Town • University of Fort Hare • University of Johannesburg • University of Limpopo • University of Pretoria • University of Stellenbosch • University of the Free State • University of the Western Cape • University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg • University of Venda • Vaal University of Technology • Walter Sisulu University (East London) • Walter Sisulu University (Ibika) • Walter Sisulu University (Mthatha)
All the trophy winners of the 2013 tournament will be back to try and defend their titles, namely University of Pretoria, last year’s Cup competition winners; North West University (Pukke), last year’s Plate competition winners; University of Cape Town, last year’s Bowl competition winners and Durban University of Technology, last year’s Shield competition winners.
NMMU George is expected to take full advantage of the fact that they are playing on their home field again and hope to build on last year’s fine performance – they lost in the Plate Final against North West University (Pukke).
Stalwart… Kutelani Tshivhase will represent NMMU George Campus for the fifth time at the USSA Rugby Sevens tournament.