The Springbok Sevens were drawn with Scotland, Samoa and newly-promoted core team Russia for the Emirates Airline Dubai Sevens on 4 and 5 December.
According to the draw announced by World Rugby on Friday, South Africa are the top-seeds in Pool B for the opening round of the bigger HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series. The Springbok Sevens are the defending Dubai champions.
With global excitement building ahead of Sevens’ biggest season, the world’s top players – representing 28 national teams – will compete in Dubai from 3 to 5 December. The 12-team women’s tournament will be played on 3 and 4 December and the 16-team men’s event on 4 and 5 December.
In the men’s competition, reigning series champions Fiji head Pool A and kick off proceedings against Canada with further ties against Japan and Argentina.
Twelve-time series champions New Zealand face matches against USA, as well as France and Portugal in Pool C, while in Pool D England will compete against Australia, Wales and Kenya.
The South Africans start their Dubai campaign against powerful Samoa. They then face Russia in the mid-afternoon, before tackling Scotland later in the evening on the opening day.
In the women’s draw, New Zealand will kick off both their series and Dubai title defence against France, Russia and Brazil in Pool A. Rivals Canada and USA meet in Pool B alongside Fiji and Ireland while Australia are the top seed in Pool C where they’ll face England, Spain and series newcomers Japan.
