Johannesburg - Winning the first two tournaments in the 2008/09 IRB Sevens World Series has brought a new confidence to the Springbok Sevens team for the Wellington tournament that takes place on February 6 and 7.

And while national Sevens coach Paul Treu is pleased about the self-belief in the side, he sees the next two tournaments - San Diego follows a week after Wellington - as a test of character for his young charges.

"I tried to instil in them the belief that we can win in Dubai and George, but deep down I think one or two of the players didn't really believe it could be done," said Treu on Thursday, a day before their departure for Wellington.

"That matter has now been rectified. They now all have the self-belief -but that can so easily be offset by over-confidence. These two tournaments will be a real test of the team's character," he pointed out.

But he is experienced enough to keep them on their toes - and also very happy with the way the preparations have gone.

Treu would have liked a little more practice in a match situation, but leaves with a fully fit side that has been well-prepared.

"We haven't had that little disruption for the third match in the series in many years," he pointed out on Thursday.

He did lose players of the calibre and experience of last year's injured captain Neil Powell, Super 14 contracted players Jonathan Mokuena, Stefan Basson, MJ Mentz, Schalk van der Merwe, Fabian Juries, Danwel Demas and Kabamba Floors as well as young Wilton Pietersen before the Dubai tournament and Marius Schoeman (hand injury) during that first tournament.

Treu will have used only 14 players in three tournaments. He called up Mlindazwe Nqoro for injured Schoeman in George and then replaced the Ngoro with fit-again and experienced Howard Noble for the next two tournaments in a rare luxury of continuity.

The team's build-up is obviously geared to the World Cup in Dubai in early March.

And Treu would dearly love to win the World Series as well. For now, however, the focus is on the first pool match against Scotland and thereafter the other two pool fixtures against two difficult and unpredictable opponents, Kenya and Tonga.

A slow start by the Boks could be costly with a more difficult play-off route - but then, that is not in Treu's planning.