Johannesburg - South Africa will face a tough challenge in Pool A when they host the third round of the Sevens World Series this coming weekend.
The Blitzbokke will play Samoa, who won the Dubai Sevens on Saturday, France and Australia at the Nelson Mandela Bay Sevens tournament after the draw was held at the weekend.
New Zealand, the defending SA tournament champions who lost to Samoa in the Dubai final, were drawn as the top-ranked side in Pool B which also includes Fiji, Scotland England.
Kenya head Pool C against Wales, Argentina and Spain, while Portugal, the surprise package in Dubai, were drawn against Canada, the United States and Zimbabwe in Pool D.
The South Africans lost 14-10 against Argentina in the Bowl final in Dubai to leave them in sixth place of 17 teams in the world series.
New Zealand top the standings after two rounds, with Fiji, Kenya and Samoa six points behind in a tie for second.
The confirmed pools for the Nelson Mandela Bay Sevens are:
Pool A: Samoa, France, South Africa, Australia
Pool B: New Zealand, Fiji, Scotland, England
Pool C: Kenya, Wales, Argentina, Spain
Pool D: Portugal, Canada, United Stated, Zimbabwe
The Sevens World Series Standings after two rounds are:
1. New Zealand 38 points2. Fiji 32 (tie). Kenya 32
4. Samoa 32
5. France 27
6. South Africa 24
7. Argentina 21
8. Wales 18
9. Canada 17
10. Australia 11 (tie). Portugal 11