South Africa’s first Sevens World Cup tournament is based on a knockout format with no pool stages. Instead, the world’s eight top-ranked teams prior to the tournament have advanced straight into a round of 16, which will be played on Friday.

The Blitzboks have avoided France, Australia, the USA and Fiji, who are all on the other side of the Sevens World Cup draw.

Instead, this is what the Blitzboks’ path to the World Cup final could look like:

Round of 16: Friday, 7.03pm
The Blitzboks will start their campaign against the winner of the pre-Round of 16 match between minnows Germany and Chile.

To add extra spice to this encounter, Germany are coached by former Blitzboks captain Philip Snyman.

Quarter-finals: Saturday, 10.33pm
In the last of the four quarter-finals, the Blitzboks could face either England, Ireland or Portugal.

It is likely that Ireland will beat Portugal in the pre-Round of 16 match and that England would then beat Ireland, which would set up a quarter-final between the Blitzboks and England.

Semi-finals: Sunday. 12:35pm
In the first championship semi-final on Sunday, the Blitzboks are likely to face either New Zealand or Argentina.

Grand final: Sunday, 8.54pm
Should the Blitzboks get this far, they are likely to be confronted by old rivals Fiji in the grand final, which kicks-off at 8.54pm.

The USA, Australia or France could also be lying in wait, should any of those teams upset Fiji in the second semi-final on Sunday.

Also read: Tickets available as Sevens fever infects Cape Town