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The pools and match schedule have been announced for the second event of the 2010/11 HSBC Sevens World Series in George, South Africa (10-11 Dec).

The Emirates Airline South Africa Sevens follows on a week later from the opening leg of the season in Dubai (4-5 Dec) and will be played at the Outeniqua Park Stadium part of the stunning Garden Route.

Australia are rewarded for the securing the most Series points from the last two events of the 2009/10 World Series, winning in London and reaching the final in Edinburgh. They will start the George event as number one seeds - top of Pool A. Michael O'Connor's young side faces three tough European opponents on day one with matches against Scotland, Wales and France.

Defending World Series champions Samoa top Pool B and face opening games against Namibia and USA before a mouth-watering tussle with Pacific rivals Fiji.

New Zealand were winners at last year’s event and head Pool C and facing Kenya, Russia and England in arguably the toughest group in the pool.

Hosts South Africa top Pool D and will play Portugal, neighbouring Zimbabwe and the Pumas of Argentina in the final match on day one.

"South Africa's event has gone from strength to strength over the past few years and its growth in George underlines the proven formula of Sevens and the World Series," said the IRB’s Series Tournament Director, Beth Coalter.

"There is no better example of the diversity of the Series as a global sporting product than these first two events - from the desert of Dubai to the stunning green and mountains of South Africa's Garden Route.

"There are now just a few weeks until the start of the new HSBC Sevens World Series and we're all looking forward to another record-breaking season."

2010/2011 HSBC Sevens World Series

Dubai – Dec 3-4 2010
South Africa - Dec 10-11 2010
New Zealand - Feb 4-5 2011
USA - Feb 12-13 2011
Hong Kong - Mar 25-27 2011
Australia - April 2-3 2011
England - May 21-22 2011
Scotland - May 28-29 2011

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Tickets for the event in George are available from any Computicket outlet, Shoprite and Checkers stores nationwide. Another easy way to secure tournament tickets is to book online at www.computicket.com.
Entry fee for this year is as follows:

Grand Stand R240 (Friday) and R260 (Saturday)
East Stand R200 (Friday) and R220 (Saturday)
North & South Stands R160 (Friday) and R180 (Saturday)