(Source: Blitzbokke.com)

No sooner had the 2009/2010 season ended, then the International Rugby Board (IRB) released the dates for the 2010/2011 Sevens World Series season.

Despite attempts from other cities to lure the SA leg to their corner of the Republic, the IRB has confirmed that the beautiful city of George will once again host the Emirates Airline SA Sevens tournament for the ninth time on 10 – 11 December at Outeniqua Park.

According to the new IRB Sevens World Series calendar for 2010/11, the World Series will visit five continents over a busy six month period. The 12th season of the popular World Series kicks off on 3-4 December in Dubai, followed by the South African event at George a week later and it will reach a climax at Edinburgh in Scotland on 28-29 May 2011.

The one change from the 2009/10 schedule is that Australia’s tournament in Adelaide reverts back to the weekend after the Hong Kong Sevens.

The two previous Series campaigns were both decided on the last day of the eight tournament showpiece, with the Springbok Sevens lifting the title for the first time in 2009 and Samoa doing the same just a few days ago at Murrayfield, after they beat England in a dramatic semi-final clash which included two periods of extra-time.

Delhi 2010

In announcing the new World Series schedule, the IRB also confirmed the competition dates for Sevens at the forthcoming Commonwealth Games in India. The Sevens rugby competition will take place over two days on 11-12 October in Delhi.

Steven Roos, Tournament Director of the Emirates Airline SA Sevens, said the thrills of the past Series have already sparked a lot of interest in the George event.

“The Emirates Airline SA Sevens is already a landmark event on our rugby calendar, but the tournament continues to grow in stature. SARU, the City of George and our other sponsors are again looking forward to another hugely successful and entertaining international event,”said Roos.

2010/2011 IRB Sevens World Series

Dubai, UAE                             3-4 December 2010

George, South Africa            10-11 December 2010

Wellington, New Zealand     4-5 February 2011

Las Vegas, USA                    12-13 February 2011

Hong Kong, (China SAR)  25, 26, 27 March 2011

Adelaide, Australia              2-3 April 2011

London, England                 21-22 May 2011

Edinburgh, Scotland           28-29 May 2011

The 2010 Commonwealth Games Sevens competition will be held in Delhi, India on 11-12 October 2010