In 2018, just before the Covid-19 pandemic, I rediscovered the enthusiasm for watching a team sport, which I had lost for many years, following my teenage passion for football. South African friends introduced me to a dangerous yet exciting sport, Rugby Sevens, and in 2020 I published several images of my experiences as a spectator and photographer on Camerapixo Press. For those who, like me until seven years ago, are unfamiliar with it, Rugby Sevens, based on the clash of seven players instead of fifteen, is faster and more fun for the uninitiated. Around the incredible performances of the athletes, a contagious celebration takes place among their fans.
In this 2025 report, I wrote a “subjective documentary”—as Martin Parr, who recently passed away, called them—my personal impressions after seven years, not a complete chronicle of the extreme performances of the many athletes. I wanted to show, as if in a movie, the joy of the spectators, the joy of the victorious, and the dignified sadness of the losers. Glorious and more mundane moments. Various images of this magnificent celebration of a sport still worthy of the name. All the images are from Cape Town, South Africa, most in 2025, with reminiscences of 2018 and 2019.
To go beyond my narrow scope and complete the picture, I will now share notes from industry insiders and enthusiasts. “World Rugby Sevens, an electrifying and fast-paced variant of the traditional 15-a-side rugby, has gained immense popularity worldwide. Matches consist of two seven-minute halves, providing a condensed and action-packed experience. The shortened duration intensifies the gameplay, resulting in breathtaking displays of speed, agility, and strategic teamwork. The quick-fire format ensures non-stop excitement for both players and spectators.
The fast-paced nature of the game, combined with shorter match durations, has made Rugby Sevens more accessible and engaging for casual viewers. Its inclusion in major international multi-sport events like the Olympic Games since 2016 has further elevated its profile and introduced it to a global audience.“( Edusport South Africa).
“The joy of sevens, which is not a new format – it started in Melrose 140 years ago – is that it is a sport that allows expression and pace. It is also simple to understand and only one step away from tag, a game that can be played in the playground. It is also fastmoving, and gives you that precious ability to find space, pin your ears back and go and score a try. It’s the most liberating form of rugby union and that is why we should care about it.” ( Giles Morgan, rugby player and global head of sponsorship )
“Finally, 7s is just fun. Fans turn up in elaborate and bizarre costumes (never forget the infamous Borat costumes). The tournaments typically have party atmospheres. The game is played in great spirit- after all, the players regularly meet on the field, stay in the same hotels, and are generally good friends. There is a sense that, even during the heat of the battle when the passions run high, the players are having fun. It’s an excellent reminder that, in the end, that is what rugby is all about.”( Daniel Naidu, Fiji).
