South Africa and New Zealand drawn together as groups revealed for Dubai 7s 2023

Emirates Dubai 7s holders South Africa have been drawn alongside world series champions New Zealand in the group stage for the 2023 tournament after organisers on Tuesday announced the pools for next month's tournament.

Taking place December 1-3 at The Sevens Stadium, 24 of the best international rugby sevens teams – 12 men's and 12 women's – will descend on Dubai for the opening leg of the world series opener.

Following successive titles in 2021 and 2022, South Africa will be bidding for a hat-trick in Dubai, and have been grouped with reigning series champions, New Zealand, Samoa, and Canada in Pool A.

Ireland, last year’s Dubai 7s men’s runners-up, will face Argentina, Australia, and Spain in Pool B, while Pool C consists of France, the United States, Fiji, and Great Britain.

In the women's events, reigning Dubai champions Australia have been drawn alongside Ireland, Japan, and Brazil in Pool B. World champions New Zealand, who finished runners-up in Dubai last year, are in Pool A with Fiji, Great Britain, and South Africa while Canada, Spain, USA, and France make up Pool C.

All matches will be played on Pitches 1 and 2 with the top two teams and two best third-placed sides advancing to the quarter-finals.

“The draw for the first leg of the HSBC SVNS has produced some exciting fixtures that will showcase the very best of rugby sevens," said Mathew Tait, Festival Director of Dubai 7s.

"With the Olympic Games taking place next year in Paris, the Emirates Dubai 7s will serve as a vital platform for the players to gain as much competitive action as possible ahead of the global showpiece event while vying for glory to become champions and taste success in Dubai.”

In addition to the two elite tournaments, the 2023 Dubai 7s