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The dust hasn’t even settled from the first leg of this season’s IRB Sevens World Series in Dubai but the second leg in George is fast approaching this weekend.

The Arabian Gulf drop out and are replaced by Tunisia in an otherwise familiar look amongst the 16 teams taking to the field at Outeniqua Park.

New Zealand will want to kick-on from their first IRB circuit victory in 18 months but last year’s overall champions and George winners South Africa will be one of the many teams attempting to stop them with the likes of Ryno Benjamin looking to again show his prowess on a Sevens field having scored seven tries in Dubai.

The hosts are joined by Kenya and Zimbabwe in Pool A, and it is left to France to halt the speed of the African sides. In Dubai, Zimbabwe beat France in the semi-final of the Bowl, and South Africa beat Kenya at the same stage of the Plate, but Paul Treu will want to make sure his side play more like defending champions this weekend.

“We were spot on with our composure and decision-making on day one, but we were found wanting in those two areas on Saturday when it mattered,” said Treu.

“The two losses were a massive eye-opener for the guys and they now realise that we will have to play so much better as the defending SA tournament and World Series champions.”

Australia, who beat South Africa in the final of the Plate, are joined in Pool B by Shield winners Russia. The Russians narrowly edged out Portugal 17-14 in the final in Dubai, but there will be a chance for riposte as the two sides meet again on the opening day in George - although the Portuguese will have to be wary of Vasily Artenyev who scored eight tries in Dubai for the fast improving Russians.

Fiji complete the pool and after injuries to Jerry Burotu and Niumaia Cakacaka, Super 14 side Stormers wing Sireli Naqelevuki makes the short trip to Outeniqua Park for Iliesa Tanivula’s men.

The winners of Dubai, New Zealand, have been pooled with Bowl winners and Rugby World Cup Sevens champions Wales as well as USA and Samoa. A meeting against the Pacific Islanders is a rematch of the final from Dubai which New Zealand won 24-12, but Stephen Betham’s men will be inspired by how their new look team gelled.

The new captain Lolo Lui, replacing Uale Mai, was the top scorer in the competition with 49 points, and Mikaele Pesamino was the joint second top try scorer with eight.

England, who lost out to Samoa for the second successive time in Dubai having also lost in the RWC Sevens in March, have been pooled with Scotland, Argentina and the only fresh faced team for this leg – Tunisia.

Despite missing out on the final, head coach Ben Ryan believes he has uncovered some new talent that can continue to impress in George this weekend, and with Ben Gollings chipping in with no less than 46 points, the blend could prove pivotal.

“I would love for us to be running out again for the final but we made mistakes and Samoa made us pay. We've however uncovered some real talent this weekend with the likes of Jake Abbott, Nick Royle and Mat Turner,” said Ryan.

"Samoa beat us in the World Cup earlier this year but we beat them in London. We will be fresh going into South Africa and the guys that I've rested this weekend will get their chance to shine."

Argentina have flown in Pedro Garzon and Rafael Parlatore, both of whom will make their IRB Sevens World Series debuts in George.

Helberg safely in George

Deon Helberg, the Springbok Sevens player who was onboard an SAA Airlink aircraft involved in an accident at George Airport earlier this week, is uninjured and has joined his team mates at their hotel in George.

After passing a medical check-up, Helberg, a late replacement for the injured Marius Schoeman in Dubai, was cleared by team management to join his colleagues in a team activity.

“The team is grateful and extremely relieved that Deon had thankfully escaped the incident with no serious injuries. The happening was obviously very traumatic at the time, but he recovered very quickly,” said Springbok Team Manager Sebastian Prim.

“The team wants to thank all the supporters for the enormous concern raised regarding his safety through the many enquiries we have received. SAA Airlink managed a traumatic situation very well indeed and we are glad the player could join his team mates so quickly after the unfortunate incident.

“We will provide the necessary assistance to him through our team structure and also our life skills coach, Gavin Swanepoel,” explained the Springbok Sevens team manager.

In another forced change to the squad, Schoeman has come back in after recovering from a calf injury to replace Neil Powell.

Powell injured his shoulder during the Dubai Plate Final on Saturday against Australia, a match the Boks lost 7-0.