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Dates and new qualification pathway confirmed as Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 looks to inspire a new generation of rugby fans

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Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 to take place from 9-11 September, 2022; New striking RWC Sevens 2022 brand and RWCSevens.com website unveiled; RWC Sevens 2022 will be contested by 24 men’s and 16 women’s teams; New qualification process will see non-qualified teams qualify only through regional competitions; 16 men’s places and 11 women’s places available for non-qualified teams; South Africa’s women secure automatic qualification as tournament hosts.

World Rugby (www.World.rugby) and hosts South Africa Rugby today confirmed Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 in Cape Town will take place from 9-11 September, 2022.

The eighth edition is the first to be hosted in Africa with organisers anticipating a very special and record-breaking event at the iconic 57,654 capacity Cape Town Stadium.

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Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 will be contested by 24 men’s and 16 women’s teams.

The top eight men’s teams and top four women’s teams from the hugely successful RWC Sevens 2018 in San Francisco, USA, have already secured automatic qualification for the tournament in 2022.

The qualified teams for the men’s event are defending champions New Zealand, England, South Africa Fiji, Argentina, USA, France, Scotland, while defending champions New Zealand, France, Australia and USA have already booked their tickets to the women’s event in Cape Town. South Africa’s women will join them as the host nation.

Teams that have not qualified automatically will do so via their respective regional tournaments held in Europe, Oceania, Asia, North America, South America, and Africa. With 16 places available in the men’s tournament and 11 in the women’s from regional competitions.

The HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series will no longer form part of the qualification pathway for Rugby World Cup Sevens. Regional qualification is expected to start in August of this year with further details to be announced at a later stage.

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World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said: “We are delighted to announce the tournament dates for Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 alongside the unveiling of a striking new brand that truly captures the unique, fun and carnival spirit of the tournament.

“This is an exciting time for rugby sevens with less than 70 days to go until the upcoming Olympic Games in Tokyo and now with Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 also on the horizon. South Africa has a rich history in hosting world-class international rugby sevens events, and we anticipate that Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 will once again raise the bar for this unique tournament and be like no other.”

“South African rugby is eager to turn the vibrancy of this new brand into the vibrancy of a packed live event where we can showcase both our country and our passion for the sport,” said Mr Mark Alexander, president of SA Rugby. “This will be the first senior World Cup we have hosted since 1995 and we are determined to make it as special in its own way.

“The HSBC Cape Town Sevens has established itself as a major must-see event on our national sporting calendar, but we will be taking Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 to the next level.”

Alongside confirmation of the dates and new qualification pathway, the bespoke tournament brand, developed by World Rugby and SA Rugby, has also been unveiled.

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The striking brand radiates unity, energy and passion and celebrates the spirit of rugby sevens that will ignite Cape Town’s finest rugby stage, as the top men’s and women’s teams from around the world compete to be crowned world champions.

World Rugby Chief Marketing Officer Marissa Pace today said “Our goal is to ignite Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 with a bold event mark, reflecting the fast pace and dynamic play of Sevens, but also the vibrancy of Cape Town and South Africa. With Table Mountain at the heart of the new logo, our team has also included elements within to represent both the event year and the iconic Cape Town Stadium. We look forward to watching the brand come to life via our partners and hosts South Africa Rugby.”

The tournament is expected to build on the massively successful 2018 edition hosted at AT&T Park in San Francisco, which attracted record attendance for a rugby event in the USA with a total attendance of more than 100,000 fans.

In addition, RWC Sevens 2018 attracted cumulative domestic and global broadcast audiences of more than 24 million and 31 million viewers respectively, which included a record-breaking live broadcast audience of 1.7 million on its final day. The tournament also leveraged 22.5 million social media video views on World Rugby channels over the course of the event.

Details of the ticket sales launch will be announced later this year.

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Africa

SYNOT Games Partners with Aardvark Technologies

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In a strategic initiative aimed at expanding its influence in regulated African markets, SYNOT Games, a leading developer of online casino games, has announced a partnership with Aardvark Technologies, one solution provider for online and retail iGaming. This collaboration positions Aardvark as a primary aggregation partner for SYNOT Games, enhancing the company’s footprint in rapidly evolving markets across the African continent.

The partnership builds upon an already successful history between the two companies, which has enabled SYNOT Games to establish a foothold in African markets. With this formalised integration, the two sides will combine forces to navigate the continent’s complex regulatory landscape, leveraging Aardvark’s operational acumen and advanced omnichannel platform to drive distribution and growth.

“Our collaboration with Aardvark Technologies marks a pivotal step in SYNOT Games’ long-term strategy to become a leading force in regulated African markets,” said Martina Krajčí, Chief Commercial Officer at SYNOT Games.

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“Aardvark effortlessly connects mobile, web, and retail channels, and their deep understanding of the varying legislation across different areas truly makes them a fantastic partner. Here at SYNOT Games, we’re dedicated to providing transparent, compliant, and player-focused content in every market we enter,” she added.

Aardvark Technologies, headquartered in Lithuania, has emerged as a key SaaS provider for gaming operators, known for its scalable transaction engine and intuitive management systems. The company’s technology stack empowers operators to manage multi-channel gaming operations with precision and agility. These capabilities are crucial for success in diverse regulatory environments such as those found across Africa.

“We are pleased to formalize our collaboration with SYNOT Games,” said Arijus Denisovas, spokesperson for Aardvark Technologies.

“SYNOT’s impressive portfolio, combined with its strong commitment to regulated markets, aligns with our mission of providing top-notch gaming content via secure, trusted, and locally tailored infrastructure. Together, we’re raising the bar for responsible gaming in Africa.”

The African iGaming sector, though highly fragmented, is widely regarded as one of the most promising emerging regions globally, driven by mobile-first consumer behaviour, rising internet penetration and evolving legislative frameworks. By uniting SYNOT Games’ growing library of certified titles with Aardvark’s aggregation and compliance tools, the partnership is poised to unlock new levels of accessibility and engagement for operators and players alike.

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Both companies emphasize the importance of regulatory alignment and ethical gaming practices. SYNOT Games operates exclusively in regulated markets, prioritising player protection, data integrity and the transparency of its offerings. The company’s products are certified across multiple jurisdictions and supported by a robust compliance infrastructure.

The post SYNOT Games Partners with Aardvark Technologies appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Africa

World Sports Betting Partners with Comrades Marathon Association

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World Sports Betting has become the Official Sports Betting Partner of the Comrades Marathon Association (CMA).

South Africa’s premier online sports betting platform has signed a three-year deal with the Comrades Marathon, kicking off now with the 2025 event and running through to the 2027 event, which will be the 100th edition of the Ultimate Human Race.

World Sports Betting was founded in 2002 and has been at the forefront of South African sports betting over the last decade. As the country’s premier online sports book, it offers a friendly, fast and secure online sports betting experience, with innovative markets tailored for its South African clients.

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As part of its involvement at Comrades, World Sports Betting will help to place an even bigger focus on the world-class elite athletes that grace this world-famous ultramarathon. The World Sports Betting team will also be creating a vibe for runners in Westville, with a route activation about 15km to go from the finish. Traditionally, this is a point of the race that many runners need as much support as possible to keep tired legs going, and the vibrant support of this activation will help the runners go all in with their push for the finish.

“World Sports Betting is extremely proud to sponsor this landmark event. As a proudly South African brand, it’s important for us to align with local sporting events that not only showcase exceptional talent, but also reflect the rich spirit, diversity, and heritage of our vibrant country. We believe in backing platforms that unite communities, celebrate local excellence, and inspire the next generation of champions,” said Ryno Du Plessis, Chief Operating Officer at World Sports Betting.

CMA Chairperson Mqondisi Ngcobo said: “We are pleased to welcome World Sports Betting as the Official Sports Betting Partner to the Comrades Marathon. They will not only add immense value to our race-day activations, but their commitment to supporting iconic events aligns perfectly with the spirit of our ultramarathon. This partnership will undoubtedly enhance the experience for our runners and spectators alike, and we look forward to a successful collaboration that supports our athletes in achieving their goals.”

The 98th Comrades Marathon will be run on Sunday, 8 June 2025.

The post World Sports Betting Partners with Comrades Marathon Association appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Africa

SOFTSWISS Steps Onto The South African Tech Stage

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SOFTSWISS, a global provider of iGaming software solutions, is making its first major public tech debut in South Africa as a proud partner of Africa Tech Week 2025, taking place in Cape Town from 3 – 4 June. Recognised as a leader in iGaming software solutions development, SOFTSWISS will also feature prominently on the speaker line-up, with its Deputy Chief Security Officer, Artem Bychkov, taking the stage as a key voice in the greater cybersecurity conversation.

Africa Tech Week has become one of the continent’s premier events for digital transformation, spotlighting cutting-edge technologies, global thought leaders, and the next wave of innovation shaping Africa’s future. With industry giants, trailblazers, and policymakers converging from across the world, this year’s event promises to set the tone for the continent’s tech agenda.

“Africa Tech Week isn’t just a tech event – it’s a catalyst for digital innovation and cross-continental collaboration,” says Bychkov. “We’re proud to be part of this vibrant ecosystem as it pushes the boundaries of what’s possible in Africa’s digital economy. I look forward to engaging with experts from around the world and sharing my experience in building strong defences against cyber risks.” 

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While SOFTSWISS sets the bar globally for iGaming technology and its sustainable usage, the company’s Africa strategy will see it focus strongly on expanding local partnerships, contributing to digital resilience, and promoting best practices in fields ranging from cybersecurity to responsible practices in iGaming.

This marks a focused approach in South Africa for the award-winning technology company, as it explores new opportunities and local collaborations. Bychkov’s keynote will focus on the shifting security landscape in emerging tech markets and how businesses can prepare for current and future digital risks.

 

About SOFTSWISS

SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences and provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 30,000 casino games, the Affilka Affiliate Platform, the Sportsbook Software and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS revolutionised the industry by introducing the world’s first Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution. The expert team counts over 2,000 employees.

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The post SOFTSWISS Steps Onto The South African Tech Stage appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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