Five reasons to watch the men's HSBC SVNS Cape Town

The HSBC SVNS Cape Town could hardly be set-up better. The pre-season favourites have plenty to prove, the surprise stars of round one are flying, a host of teams have shown signs of promise and new names have already laid down markers. 

Anyone who was watching the action in Dubai might not need them, but here are our top five reasons for tuning in to one of the great sporting shows, 7-8 December: 

1. Find out what Spain will do next

What a difference a year makes. Spain will start as firm favourites to emerge from Pool B and at the very least reach the semi-finals in Cape Town. A venue they finished 10th in 12 months ago. 

In fact, Spain ended two SVNS tournaments last season in 10th, two in 11th and one in eighth. Yet after becoming New Zealand's bogey team in Dubai - Spain beat the Kiwis in the pool stage and in the semi-finals - the Europeans are looking like genuine contenders. 

With priceless experience - captain Pol Pla scored his 101st try in last week's final - balanced by the youthful lightening of 23-year-old Anton Legorburu Anso, they seem to have every base covered. Given head coach Francisco Hernandez was particularly delighted with their "consistency", this could be a story that runs and runs. 

2. Try predicting which team will shine brightest this week

Spain were not the only ones ripping up last season's form book in Dubai. Champions Fiji broke a 22-tournament drought by becoming the only team to go unbeaten. While at the other end of the scale, last season's league runners-up Ireland found themselves down in 11th place. 

Add on the fact that all four quarter-finals were decided by less than a converted try and two went to extra-time and you can understand why we are not making any predictions here. 

A total of 91 debut players and 10 new coaches in Dubai only added to the excitement as Kenya beat South Africa and pushed France close while fellow newbies Uruguay defeated Ireland. 

3. Understand if Fiji are the team to fear

Plenty of pre-season focus was on France and their recently announced programme pinpointed on the LA 2028 Games. As well as New Zealand and how their new generation would fare, plus Argentina and their mass of sevens talent. This all left Fiji free to somewhat fly under the radar into Dubai. 

Not any more.

The Pacific Islanders looked like a tight, well-prepared team. Which is exactly what their coach, Osea Kolinisau says they are. It cannot hurt that he is a man who knows exactly what it takes, having led his nation to their first ever Olympic gold medal in 2016. 

Filipe Sauturaga, player of the final last week, looks like a player others will follow. While George Bose, two tries in his first tournament, and 24-year-old Joji Nasova appear ready to provide the magic dust. 

4. See if the Blitzboks can get the party started

Perhaps nobody illustrates the strength of men's SVNS better than South Africa. A combination of a tournament win (in Dubai) an 11th place finish (LA) and just about everything in-between saw the Blitzboks end last season seventh. Subsequently, they scrapped into the Olympic Games before turning on the style reminiscent of their 15s counterparts and grabbing bronze. 

Last weekend in Dubai followed a similar pattern. Impressive pool-stage wins over France and Australia were mixed in with a defeat to new boys Kenya, followed by a quarter-final exit at the hands of New Zealand. 

Last year in Cape Town they limped to a 28-0 quarter-final loss to Australia having won in Dubai. What can their home fans expect this time around?

5. Check out the tweaked format

The 12 men's and 12 women's teams in Cape Town will play a slightly altered competition format. Teams will be split into four groups of three, with the four group winners progressing straight to the semi-finals . The second-placed teams will enter the fifth-eighth place playoffs, with those in third fighting it out for ninth-12th places. 

This format is intended to protect player welfare and will therefore be in place for Cape Town and Singapore, the two SVNS tournaments that are played the weekend after a previous event. 

The pools for Cape Town were based on SVNS rankings at the end of the Dubai tournament, meaning that on the men's side there is one particularly juicy pool. Do not miss a moment of Pool C featuring Argentina, South Africa and Ireland.