The Sevens Rugby World Cup kicks off on Thursday and promises to be a three-day festival of world class entertainment which will see a total of 98 matches played on back to back pitches at 'The Sevens' stadium in Dubai.

The Rugby Sevens success story is underpinned by the International Rugby Board Sevens World Series, the popular grand prix style championship comprising eight international events, which this year is celebrating its 10th anniversary.

However, the Sevens World Cup gives teams an opportunity to stamp their authority as the leading country in this particular format. South Africa has an opportunity to do both as they will be looking to add this prestigious Sevens silverware alongside the Webb Ellis Trophy obtained in the 15-man showpiece in 2007.

The South Africans come into this tournament as the top team on paper but they know all to well how dangerous such a tag can be in the build-up to a World Cup.

However, coach Paul Treu seems comfortable with how his team is performing after they had a good warm-up against the Americans in the week leading up to the World Cup.

"We had a good run against USA. There are still a few things to sort out before Thursday but I am looking forward to the tournament," Treu said in the build-up to the showpiece event.

South African skipper Mpho Mbiyozo is delighted with his team's preparation.

"It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and anyone can win it. We basically are one of 24 teams that can win it and it’s just about going there, pitching up at the end of the day and we definitely are willing and committed to winning it."

South Africa start off with a match against Japan on the first day. While Japan are not highly rated they are competent enough and will have commitment and pace. However Treu's men should have no trouble in crossing the first hurdle before more taxing pool matches against Scotland and Canada on Friday.

But a slip-up is unthinkable. With six pools, only the pool winners and the two best second-placed sides advance to the Cup play-offs on Saturday.
 
New Zealand are the top seeds by virtue of their performances since the last World Cup with Fiji seeded second, South Africa third, Samoa fourth, England fifth and Argentina sixth.

New Zealand have been drawn with Tonga, the Arabian Gulf and Italy and despite an average season by their standards, should be Pool A winners.

Defending champions Fiji, seeded second, have been drawn with France, USA and Georgia in Pool B as they attempt to become the first side to successfully defend the Melrose Cup following their success in Hong Kong four years ago.

France, at their best, could be their biggest threat. But as they showed in the San Diego leg of the IRB World Sevens Series, they are not consistent.

Players to watch:

DJ Forbes (NZL): New Zealand and IRB sevens player of the year in 2008, Forbes played in the Wellington leg of the World Sevens Series with a fractured foot and calf strain but then missed the San Diego leg when the Kiwis alarmingly crashed out in the quarter-finals.

Isoa Damudamu (ENG): The long-striding flanker, 27, scored the decisive try when England pipped New Zealand 19-17 to win the Wellington Sevens, outflanking the covering defence after the hooter had sounded for full time.

Julien Malzieu (FRA): The elusive Clermont flyer has won five caps for France's 15-a-side team, scoring a try on his debut against Scotland in last year's Six Nations tournament.

Gio Aplon (RSA): The helmeted 26-year-old is a player who makes up for his comparative smallness with his strong running and line-breaking capabilities. With former captain Neil Powell back to fitness and the South Africans ever competitive on the World Series circuit, the full-back will be a key member of Paul Treu's squad as they seek to make their second Cup final.

Vilimoni Delasau (FIJ): Elected the best winger in the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France, the physically imposing 31-year-old is a veteran predator whose talent has seen him also turn out for Kiwi Super 12 and 14 franchises, the Crusaders and Highlanders.

Takudzwa Ngwenya (USA): The Zimbabwe-born wing was one of the stand-out players at the Rugby World Cup in France two years ago, his performances warranting enough attention that he was immediately snapped up by French first division club Biarritz.

Previous winners:

1993: England
1997: Fiji
2001: New Zealand
2005: Fiji

Pools: (Men)

Pool A: New Zealand, Tonga, Arabian Gulf, Italy
Pool B: Fiji, France, USA, Georgia
Pool C: South Africa, Scotland, Canada, Japan
Pool D: Samoa, Australia, Portugal, Ireland
Pool E: England, Kenya, Tunisia, Zimbabwe
Pool F: Argentina, Wales, Zimbabwe, Uruguay

Rugby World Cup Sevens Schedule, Dubai: (Men)

Day One: (GMT plus 4)

1 17:00 Wales v Zimbabwe         
2 17:10 Kenya v Tunisia      
3 17:22 Australia v Portugal       
4 17:32 Scotland v Canada      
5 17:44 France v USA        
6 17:52 Tonga v Arabian Gulf       
7 18:06 Samoa v Ireland       
8 18:16 Argentina v Uruguay         
9 19:30 England v Hong Kong
10 19:54 New Zealand v Italy
11 20:16 Fiji v Georgia
12 20:38 South Africa v Japan

Day Two:

13 11:00 New Zealand v Arabian Gulf
14 11:22 England v Tunisia
15 11:44 Samoa v Portugal
16 12:06 South Africa v Canada
17 12:28 Argentina v Zimbabwe
18 12:50 Fiji v USA
19 13:12 Kenya v Hong Kong
20 13:34 Tonga v Italy
21 13:56 Wales v Uruguay
22 14:18 Scotland v Japan
23 14:40 Australia v Ireland
24 15:02 France v Georgia
25 15:24 Zimbabwe v Uruguay
26 15:46 Canada v Japan
27 16:08 Tunisia v Hong Kong
28 16:30 Arabian Gulf v Italy
29 16:52 Portugal v Ireland
30 17:14 USA v Georgia
31 17:36 Argentina v Wales
32 17:58 South Africa v Scotland
33 18:20 Fiji v France
34 18:44 Samoa v Australia
35 19:06 England v Kenya
36 19:28 New Zealand v Tonga

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