Canada Win Gold in FISU Tournament
The Canadian women’s university team have claimed the title as top Rugby 7s team in the world. They defeated Australia and France along the way to claim the title. Canada’s only loss was to Australia in the final pool match on Day 2. That result put them in the quarter-finals against host South Africa, they won that game 24-14 and earned a rematch with Australia in the semi-finals. Canada got their revenge for the pool loss with a 19-14 win over Australia, Canada then blanked France 20-0 in the Gold medal match. France won Silver, Japan Bronze, Australia were 4th, Ireland 5th, USA 6th. In the men’s competition host South Africa won Gold, Uganda Silver, Argentina Bronze.
Day 3 Results
Semi-Final
Canada 19 – Australia 14 (HT 12-0)
Final
Canada 20 – France 0 (HT 15-0)
Day 2 Results
Canada Defeats South Africa in Quarter-Final (from FISU site)
Canada ended South Africa’s tournament with a 24-14 quarter-final victory after establishing a 17-0 half-time lead.
Ava Van Santen scored twice, with Ivy Poetker and Corine Bellavance also crossing as Canada
made their early dominance count. The hosts fought back through Elme Kruger and Siyonela Macamba, but Canada had done enough to secure their place in the final four.
South Africa 14 (0)
Tries: Elme Kruger, Siyonela Macamba
Cons: Elme Kruger (2)
Canada 24 (17)
Tries: Ava Van Santen (2), Ivy Poetker, Corine Bellavance
Cons: Ava Ference (2)
Australia Upsets Canada in Final Pool Match (from FISU site)
Australia produced a late comeback to beat Canada 17-14 in one of the day’s most tightly contested matches.
Canada took an early lead through Ivy Poetker before Australia responded through Kya Horridge and Leilani Hills. Aiva Fenton’s superb 75-metre run restored Canada’s advantage at 14-10 at half-time, but Hills had the final say, breaking through on the last play of the match, with Maronay Smuts converting.
Australia 17 (10)
Tries: Leilani Hills (2), Kya Horridge
Con: Maronay Smuts
Canada 14 (14)
Tries: Ivy Poetker, Ava Van Santen
Cons: Ava Ference, Megan Allard
Canada Undefeated After Day One – Face Australia in Final Pool Match
Canada are undefeated after wins over Botswana 70-0 and Ireland 35-7, they’ll face Australia to complete pool play on Day 2. Australia were upset by Ireland 22-19 on Day 1 leaving Canada as the only 2-0 team in Pool B. France and Japan are undefeated in Pool A. The quarter-finals take place on Day 2 following the last pool match.
Two Canadian players were named in the Players to Watch on the official FISU website.
Ava Ference – Canada
Canada’s Ava Ference has been central to her side’s unbeaten start, accumulating 22 points through 11 successful conversions. Her accuracy from the tee has complemented Canada’s attacking strength and helped the Canadians establish themselves as early favourites in the women’s competition.
Ava Van Santen – Canada
Ava Van Santen scored four tries and collected 20 points as Canada recorded two comprehensive victories on the opening day. Her finishing ability has already made her a key part of Canada’s attacking game, and one of the players opposition defences will need to contain.
FISU Women’s Rugby Sevens day 1 sees Canada, France and Japan set the pace
The opening day of the women’s competition at the 2026 FISU World University Championship Rugby Sevens saw Canada, France and Japan emerge as the early pace-setters, with Canada unbeaten after two comprehensive victories and defending champions Japan and France both securing six points in Pool A. Australia showcased their attacking strength with an 89-0 win over Botswana despite a narrow defeat to Ireland, while hosts South Africa faced tough challenges against France and Japan, with Siyonela Macamba’s outstanding solo try providing one of the day’s highlights.
With Maronay Smuts, Leilani Hills, Ava Ference, Ava Van Santen and Karin Tadano among the leading performers, the opening day has set up an intriguing second day as teams battle for momentum and a place in the knockout stages.
Ireland produces late comeback to stun Australia
Ireland produced one of the comebacks of the opening day, overturning a 7-12 half-time deficit to defeat Australia 22-19.
Australia made the stronger start, with Leilani Hills showing her pace to race clear for the opening try, converted by Bonnie Brewer. Ireland responded almost immediately through Faith Oviawe, who showed composure to breach the Australian defence.
Hills added her second after the break as Australia moved 19-7 ahead, but Ireland refused to relent. Amy Larn and Leah Irwin crossed to bring the Irish within two points before a sustained passage of pressure allowed Oviawe to complete her brace in the closing moments.
The try handed Ireland the lead for the first time and secured a dramatic victory.
Scorers:
Ireland 22 (7) Tries: Faith Oviawe (2), Amy Larn, Leah Irwin
Con: Clare Gorman
Australia 19 (12)
Tries: Leilani Hills (2), Maronay Smuts
Cons: Bonnie Brewer, Maronay Smuts.
Canada too strong for Botswana
Canada produced a dominant display to defeat Botswana 70-0, showcasing their strength at the breakdown and set piece.
Rachel Cullum, Ella O’Regan and Ava Van Santen each crossed twice, while Corine Bellavance, Jaime Dickson, Mistura Are and Grace Dingwall also found the try line.
Canada’s kicking was equally impressive, with Ava Ference converting seven times and Megan Allard adding three conversions.
Botswana showed moments of determination but struggled to match Canada’s physicality and experience.
Scorers:
Canada 70 (35)
Tries: Rachel Cullum (2), Ella O’Regan (2), Ava Van Santen (2), Corine Bellavance, Jaime Dickson, Mistura Are, Grace Dingwall
Cons: Ava Ference (7), Megan Allard (3).
Botswana 0 (0)
Japan overcome USA in Pool A contest
Defending champions Japan began their campaign with a 26-12 victory over the USA.
Japan raced into a 14-0 lead through Suzuha Saito and Karin Tadano, before Tadano added her second try and Kano Hashimoto crossed to help establish a 21-7 half-time advantage.
Hinano Sugimoto provided a reliable kicking option, converting three times as Japan maintained their control.
The USA showed glimpses of attacking quality through Emma Buxton and Alyssa Cunningham, with Buxton and Paula Vincze scoring tries. But Japan’s patience and precision ultimately proved decisive.
Scorers:
Japan 26 (21)
Tries: Suzuha Saito, Karin Tadano (2), Kano Hashimoto
Cons: Hinano Sugimoto (3)
USA 12 (7)
Tries: Emma Buxton, Paula Vincze
Con: Morgan Cunningham
France lay down marker against hosts
France produced one of the most controlled performances of the day, defeating South Africa 34-0.
The French established their dominance through their set piece and structured approach, retaining possession and repeatedly testing the South African defence.
Iness Zeze was particularly influential, scoring two of France’s six tries, while Aimee Barthelemy, Enoe Neri, Iris Renaudin and Ilona Pedicone also crossed.
Margaux Dufros added two conversions as France made an early statement in Pool A.
Scorers:
France 34 (19)
Tries: Iness Zeze (2), Aimee Barthelemy, Enoe Neri, Iris Renaudin, Ilona Pedicone
Cons: Margaux Dufros (2)
South Africa 0 (0).
Canada maintains perfect record
Canada followed their opening-day demolition of Botswana with another convincing performance, defeating Ireland 35-7.
The Canadians established a 21-0 half-time lead through Jaime Dickson, Ava Van Santen and Ivy Poetker, with Van Santen crossing twice overall. Mistura Are added the fifth try.
Canada repeatedly opted for scrums when awarded penalties, using their set-piece strength to maintain pressure despite the blustery conditions.
Ava Ference was faultless off the tee, converting all five tries as Canada remained firmly in control.
Ireland managed a second-half response through Amy Larn, converted by Ellen O’Sullivan-Sexton, but Canada never looked in danger of surrendering their advantage.
Scorers:
Canada 35 (21)
Tries: Jaime Dickson, Ava Van Santen (2), Ivy Poetker, Mistura Are
Cons: Ava Ference (5)
Ireland 7 (0)
Try: Amy Larn
Con: Ellen O’Sullivan-Sexton
Australia unleashed attacking power against Botswana
Australia responded to their earlier defeat to Ireland with an emphatic 89-0 victory over Botswana.
Maronay Smuts led the scoring with five tries, while Leilani Hills added three. Reese Orcher and Jordan Jackson both crossed twice, with Kianna Maclean also getting on the scoresheet.
The Australians were simply too strong for Botswana, whose defence struggled to contain the pace, movement and finishing ability of their opponents.
Smuts and Hills were particularly influential, giving Australia two potent attacking options heading into the second day.
Scorers:
Australia 89 (40)
Tries: Maronay Smuts (5), Reese Orcher (2), Kianna Maclean, Leilani Hills (3), Jordan Jackson (2)
Cons: Bonnie Brewer, Abbi Spooner (11)
Botswana 0 (0)
France finish day on top of Pool A
France ended their opening day with a 25-5 victory over the USA to move to the top of Pool A.
Louen Laramy crossed twice, with Victoire Foulon, Lucie Condamines and Margaux Dufros also scoring as France turned a 15-5 half-time lead into a comfortable victory.
The wind played its part, particularly when long passes were affected, but France adapted better to the conditions and maintained their composure.
The result leaves France and Japan tied on six points at the top of Pool A, with the French side holding the superior points difference.
Scorers:
France 25 (15)
Tries: Victoire Foulon, Louen Laramy (2), Lucie Condamines, Margaux Dufros
USA 5 (5)
Try: Kate Muldoon
Japan close day with victory over hosts
Japan completed a perfect opening day with a 24-12 victory over South Africa in the final women’s match.
The defending champions established a 14-0 half-time lead through Yuina Yamamoto and Kaoru Fujiwara, before Ichika Kuki and Riko Kato added second-half tries.
Fujiwara and Hinano Sugimoto each converted as Japan maintained their advantage in the difficult conditions.
South Africa produced a spirited response, with Ankia Viljoen scoring before Siyonela Macamba produced arguably the home side’s moment of the day. Macamba ran more than 60 metres, showing impressive pace and strength to fend off defenders and race to the line.
Elme Kruger converted, but Japan held on to secure their second win and finish level with France on six points, with the Japanese holding the superior points difference.
Scorers:
Japan 24 (14)
Tries: Yuina Yamamoto, Kaoru Fujiwara, Ichika Kuki, Riko Kato
Cons: Hinano Sugimoto, Kaoru Fujiwara
South Africa 12 (0)
Tries: Ankia Viljoen, Siyonela Macamba
Con: Elme Kruger.
U Sports Names Women’s Team to Represent Canada at FISU Rugby Sevens
The 2026 FISU World University Championship Rugby Sevens takes place from September 4 to 6 in Stellenbosch , South Africa. There are 16 teams, 7 women and 9 men, from 14 countries, hosts South Africa have teams entered in both men’s and women’s tournaments as does Australia. Other teams in the women’s tournament besides Canada, Australia and South Africa are USA, Ireland, Japan and France. The men’s competition includes South Africa, Chile, Mexico, Australia, Zimbabwe, Argentina, Uganda, Norway and Japan. Robin MacDowell from Cowichan is part of the coaching team.
The official website includes the following links for following along.
Click here to watch the livestream
Click here to access photos and highlights.
Click here to get all the results.
Canada women’s team
| Player Name | University Affiliation |
| Ivy Poetker | Victoria |
| Jaime Dickson | UBC |
| Sam Reid | Acadia |
| Ava Ference | Harvard |
| Ella O’Regan | Victoria |
| Rachel Cullum | Queen’s |
| Ava Van Santen | Trinity Western |
| Corine Bellavance | Laval |
| Mistura Are | York |
| Megan Allard | Concordia |
| Grace Dingwall | Ottawa |
| Shondreya Smardon | Victoria |
from U Sports
Twelve student-athletes from across Canada have been selected to represent Team Canada at the 2026 FISU World University Championship Rugby Sevens, set for Sept. 4-6 in Stellenbosch, South Africa!
Canada heads to Stellenbosch looking to build on its silver-medal performance at the 2024 championship in Aix-en-Provence, France. The Canadian women have a strong history in the event, having won three world university titles since rugby sevens joined the FISU World University Championship program in 2004.
The 2026 squad draws players from 10 universities across Canada and the United States, including three from the University of Victoria.
Team staff
Robin MacDowell, Coach – Victoria
Chelsea Ross, Coach – Alberta
Clarence Gay, Team official
Emily Hickson, Medical personnel
