Blitzbokke to face Kenya, Wlaes in OZ

Commonwealth Games gold medallists, the Blitzbokke will face African rivals Kenya, Wales and American Samoa in the opening round of the Sevens World Series at Australia's Gold Coast on October 11 and 12.

Defending champions New Zealand will play Samoa, France and Japan on the first day of the new season.

After finishing runners-up to New Zealand in 2012/2013, Australia will be looking to go one better on home soil this season.

They line up against Fiji, Scotland and Portugal at Cbus Super Stadium, formerly known as Skilled Park.

In the fourth pool, England and Argentina will kick off the series on the Saturday morning, and they will be joined by the US and Canada.

Every match this season will feature a new level of passion and excitement as the teams vie for the four direct-qualification spots at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Last season, the Springbok Sevens played in five tournament finals and bagged two titles, which allowed them to finish comfortably in second place on the final standings behind New Zealand.

Neil Powell's team, however, finished the season on a high note by winning gold at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Powell, a World Series winner with the Springbok Sevens in 2009, admitted his team would be under immense pressure as they were seeking to go one better in the World Series this season.

"Our success in Glasgow has probably stuck a huge target on our backs because teams would always want to get the better of a winning team," Powell said.

"Our aim though will be to strive for consistency, keep our feet firmly on the ground and to concentrate on our targets for this season."

Reacting to the draw, which sees his team once more facing Kenya and the strong Welsh outfit, Powell said the last few seasons proved there were no easy group matches.

"The World Series is a tough competition and all the teams are competitive," Powell said.

"So the focus will be on maintaining the momentum and playing high-intensity rugby in each match.

"A slip in concentration or a lapse in attitude will cost us dearly, and with Olympic qualification serving as an extra incentive, there is no doubt this will be the hardest season ever."