South Africa have a relatively favourable draw for the Sevens World Cup that takes place in Dubai at the new The Sevens venue from March 5-7.
The draw in Dubai on Monday sees South Africa pitted against Scotland, Canada and Japan in Pool C.
"I'm quite happy," said Springbok coach Paul Treu after the draw was done. "I'm also pleased we're in Pool C. It is traditionally perhaps a little easier than Pool A," he said, no doubt with the knock-out-rounds in mind.
The Boks shouldn't have too much problems advancing to the quarterfinals, with the six pool winners and best two runners up progressing to the Melrose Cup quarterfinals. The four other runners up and four best sides that finish third in their pool will contest the Plate and the remaining sides the Bowl.
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However, in the previous World Cup in Hong Kong Tunisia won their pool match against the over-confident Boks against all expectations and that set the trend for the South Africans in a tournament best forgotten.
New Zealand are the expected top seeds after their performances in the IRB Series over the past number of years, 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.
Defending champions champions Fiji 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.
The pools are:
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, Hong Kong
Pool F: Argentina, Wales, Zimbabwe, Uruguay
** Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009 will feature the first ever women's competition with 16 teams having come through a competitive qualifying process involving 83 nations across the IRB's six regions.
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