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Al Caravelli’s USA Sevens team have been handed a tough draw on day one of their home leg of the IRB World Sevens Series in San Diego, according to the IRB.

They open up against the flying Springboks, who were unbeaten in storming to two opening Cup title successes in Dubai and George. They also take on an improved Australian outfit and North American rivals Canada, whom the Eagles replaced as a ‘core’ team this year on the global circuit, adding some spice to proceedings.

Defending USA Sevens champions New Zealand, are second seeds in San Diego and top pool B, in which they face Kenya, France and Uruguay. The two sides in joint third place in the Series standings, England and Fiji, head the remaining pools.

England face off against the hard hitting Pacific Island giants Samoa in their first match. They also line up against Japan culminating in a showdown with the auld enemy Scotland in Pool C.

Waisale Serevi's Fijians also face a tough task in Pool D. They facing an increasingly confident Argentina, while Wales will be out to improve on their pre-Christmas form with Mexico completing the line-up.

For the third year in succession the USA Sevens tournament will be played at baseball's PETCO Park in San Diego, a unique backdrop for what has so far proven an extremely successful event with 35% year-on-year growth.

"USA Sevens is about engaging a new rugby fan base through creating a unique American entertainment spectacular with rugby as its hub," said Touranament Director Dan Lyle.

"Building on the Olympic model of cultural diversity has enabled the US to capture the imagination of a major TV network, ABC, the support of the nation's seventh largest city in San Diego and an attendance figure expected to top 5 this year."

The USA Sevens will also offer all the teams a final opportunity to prepare for the Rugby World Cup Sevens for both men and women on March 5-7 in Dubai.

"With Rugby World Cup Sevens just a couple of weeks after the USA event, what goes on in San Diego will be key for coaches and will no doubt determine their final line-ups for Dubai," said the IRB's Sevens Manager Beth Coalter.

"San Diego also offers some of the women's teams crucial game time ahead of the World Cup.

USA's women hosting New Zealand, England, China, Canada and South Africa in their own competition, so probably four of the top six sides in the women's Sevens game," Coalter added.

The USA Sevens Pools are as follows:

Pool A
South Africa
Australia
USA
Canada

Pool B
New Zealand
Kenya
France
Uruguay

Pool C
England
Samoa
Scotland
Japan

Pool D
Fiji
Argentina
Wales
Mexico