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New Zealand coach Gordon Tietjens has made just one change to his squad for the Port Elizabeth Sevens.

Taranaki's Kylem O'Donnell is set to make his debut in the HSBC Sevens World Series after replacing James Marshall, who has been called into the Hurricanes' wider training group.

O'Donnell will emulate younger brother Declan, who played for the side last season - and scored a hat-trick in the final of the Wellington Sevens which New Zealand went on to win on the way to an overall series title in 10/11.

Tietjens has also added Wellington's George Tilsley as travelling reserve for the event at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

Tietjens will be looking for a positive response from his side after they endured a disappointing time in Dubai.

A run of defeats to South Africa, England and Australia meant New Zealand finished trophy-less for the second tournament on the bounce, following their loss to Fiji in the Gold Coast Sevens final.

New Zealand will face Dubai finalists France, Bowl winners Scotland and African qualifiers Morocco in their pool in South Africa.

South Africa welcome back World Player of the Year

South Africa's hopes will be buoyed by news that IRB Sevens Player of the Year Cecil Afrika will be fit to play after he missed the Dubai event with a rib injury.

"I'm good to go and hope to play to my part if selected," said Afrika. "It is nice to have a few guys in the squad with Eastern Cape roots, like myself, Chase Minnaar and Steven Hunt. Nothing beats the feeling of playing at home."

South Africa tackle old foes Australia, who they toppled twice on the Gold Coast only to lose to them the Dubai Plate final, Canada and Kenya in the pool stages.

South Africa will be looking to make a real impact in the Cup at the weekend as the South African leg of the series moves from George to Port Elizabeth.