Australia ring changes for rugby sevens

Australia have made three changes each to the men’s and women’s rugby teams for the Sevens World Series in Cape Town.

Captain Lewis Holland, speedster Rod Davies and Wallabies back-rower Sean McMahon join the men’s squad for the trip to South Africa following last week’s quarter-finals exit at the Dubai Sevens.

Holland missed out in Dubai through injury while McMahon is set to make his first appearance for the sevens since 2014.

The men will meet Ireland, Kenya and Samoa as they look to top Pool D in the Mother City.

Tim Walsh’s men kick off their tournament against Ireland at Cape Town Stadium in the early hours of Saturday morning (01:37 AEDT).

Hosts South Africa, who were crowned champions after a thrilling 24-12 victory over New Zealand in the final of the first round of the series in Dubai, are expected to be a power yet again on home turf.

Three changes have also been made to the Australia women’s team with Yasmin Meakes, Demi Hayes and debutant Jakiya Whitfield coming in.

Evania Pelite has been ruled out through injury while Georgia Hanna Wade misses out in the tournament where captain Sharni Williams and Shannon Parry will move ahead of Charlotte Caslick to become the country’s most-capped women’s players.

John Manenti’s team has been drawn in Pool C alongside the USA, England and Ireland and begin their tournament with a clash against the English at Cape Town Stadium on Friday night (11pm AEDT).

The men’s team were eliminated by Samoa in Dubai with the women’s team suffering a 26-12 defeat to Canada in the semi-finals.

The men are fifth on the table with 13 points entering the second round while the women are third on 14 points heading into their third round.

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