World Cup Sevens preview: Pool D

Pool D seems to be a bit of a cock-up as it features both of the tournament's African qualifiers... you'd have thought the IRB would keep them apart. It is also, frankly (and maybe as a result), the least interesting group.

New Zealand should win the pool at a canter. Although their results over the past year have been uninspiring, nothing in this pool should be a concern to them.

Uganda are here to learn. Runner-up from Africa, they have an excellent record at both sevens and XVs... but very few resources, as a result of which this will be the first time they have played outside Africa.

Italy are a significantly stronger side at sevens than they are XVs, but even so were only sixth in the European qualifier and have never made a significant impact at this version of the game. They should qualify with New Zealand... but... 

...South Africa could have other ideas. Outclassed at the 2006 World Cup, they have made significant strides in recent years - especially their youth team who had some excellent results against USA U19s a year ago, and sevens is a young player's game. Their sevens team is unbeaten, but also untried outside Africa. Even so they could easily slip past the Italians into second place.