New Zealand teams out to defend their crowns in Cape Town

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The All Blacks Sevens are pooled with Argentina, Kenya and Spain, while the Black Ferns face Fiji, Britain and Brazil in their pool.

The tournament is over three days, with the men's final at 6.56 am on Monday (NZT) and the women's final 30 minutes earlier.

South Africa's Blitzbokke turned around their performance by winning last weekend's Dubai Sevens for the fourth consecutive time.

But it is a win in Cape Town, something they haven't managed since 2016, that is on their minds heading into the weekend.

Assistant coach and former Sevens star Philip Snyman said that under new head coach Sandile Ngcobo the side showed they had championship mettle with their win in Dubai, coming after they lost their opening game to Britain.

The route to the win took them past Kenya, Australia, Samoa, New Zealand and Ireland in the final.

Snyman said: "What we realised last week was that if we do the small things right, the results come, and if we can focus on that again this weekend, there is no reason why we cannot have the same outcome.

"It is great to arrive in Cape Town with good momentum and a chance. We have seen what is possible if we execute – now for a repeat of that routine."

However, they will have to do it without playmaker Dewald Human who suffered a groin injury in Dubai when playing New Zealand.

South Africa's women face a more daunting tournament under the leadership of Nadine Roos. Six of their players are to make their world series debuts.

Coach Renfred Dazel said he was not concerned about the number of new players.

"We are putting things in place with the eye on the future and that is as important for this team as it is to do well in front of your home supporters."

They face a challenging introduction as they meet Australia, the defending world series and World Cup champions, in their opening game.

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