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The leading nations of the IRB World Sevens Series are refusing to take anything for granted, following yesterdays World Cup Draw. Ths is another illustration of the increasingly global standards that the game has now achieved. 

Series leaders South Africa were drawn in Pool C yesterday with Scotland, Canada and Japan for the competition running from March 5-7, meaning they have a good chance to advance to the quarterfinals.

Yet Bok coach Paul Treu said his team would approach the International Rugby Board (IRB) Sevens World Cup in Dubai in March with caution and respect.

“We have learned not to underestimate teams. In 2005 we lost our first pool game against Tunisia and it was tough to recover from it. So we will treat every team with respect. ”

Treu had a fair idea of what to expect from Scotland, a regular team on the Sevens circuit, and was wary of the threat Canada posed. But he was in the dark regarding what Japan had to offer.

“Canada and Japan are not regulars, so we do not really know what to expect from them. But that said, Canada beat us in Hong Kong and Los Angeles a few years ago and came close to doing the same in Adelaide, so they will go into the game with the mindset that they can beat us.”

“After winning the Dubai leg last year there is a sense of self-belief among the players,” Treu said.

Defending champs Fiji look to have a much tougher task ahead of themselves taking on France, USA, and Georgia, according to the IRB.

"There are no easy pools and that is a measure of how far Sevens has progressed since the last World Cup, with every team capable of beating each other on any given day," said player/coach Waisale Serevi.

"We will not be underestimating France or Georgia as they have proven that they can challenge, while USA are also going to be extremely tough."

French boss Thierry Janeczek is another coach not taking anything for granted, again an example of the global quality of sevens currently.

"In 7s there are no small teams and I know how much work the Americans have done in the last two years to reach the stage they're at,” said Janeczek.

England’s chief threat will undoubtedly be Kenya and, with only the group winners going through to the final knockout stages, coach Ben Ryan knows it would be foolish to underestimate anyone.

"Kenya have had the better of us in recent seasons and are a highly talented team," Ryan told Telegraph Sport.

"Some people looking at that draw may expect us to get through comfortably, but I know far too much about Kenyan rugby to go along with that."

The obvious ‘Group of Death’ is Pool D with Samoa, Australia, surprise package Portugal, and Ireland also in the mix. Whilst 2001 winners, New Zealand are set for a showdown with hosts and World Cup debutants, Arabian Gulf. Andrew Cole, the new chairman of Arabian Gulf RFU, is relishing the opportunity of showcasing the region's rugby talent.

"Realistically, any group you get is going to be tough, but I think this is a fantastic opportunity to play against some top sides on the world stage. I think we will look to give a good account of ourselves," said Cole.

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For tickets and packages to the 2009 Rugby World Cup Sevens in Dubai, go to Official Tour Operator Gullivers Sports Travel.