Cape Town - South Africa will face top-ranked Australia in Pool B of the Emirates Airline Dubai Sevens after the match schedule for the first event of this year's HSBC Sevens World Series on December 3-4, 2010, was announced earlier today.

Once again, Dubai kicks off the eight-event World Series, which also visits South Africa, New Zealand, USA, Hong Kong, Australia, England and Scotland, climaxing at Murrayfield on May 28-29, 2011.

As the third placed-team in last year’s World Series standings, Australia, top Pool C and face South Africa, whom they beat in the recent Commonwealth Games semi-finals in Delhi and also the 2009 Plate final. Russia is the fourth team in Pool B

In his reaction to the Dubai draw, Springbok Sevens coach, Paul Treu, said his team would have to work extremely hard to qualify for the Cup quarterfinals in the desert city.

“Australia was a real force last season and showed during the Commonwealth Games they will be even stronger than before while Scotland is capable of beating anyone on their day,” explained Treu.

Meanwhile a 15-man Springbok Sevens training squad assembled in Newlands earlier today for their routine fitness testing and medicals at the Sports Science Institute of SA.

The encouraging news for Treu and his management is that a number of players who were ruled out with injury, have now completed their rehabilitation and is almost ready to return to action.

Frankie Horne (broken hand), Kyle Brown (hamstring), Stephen Hunt (knee ligaments) and Branco du Preez (shoulder) all took full part in today’s sessions.

Next week Treu will take a 12-man SA Viper squad to the Far East to defend their title at the Singapore Cricket Club Sevens on November 6-7.