Reigning Sevens World Series champions South Africa are undoubtedly the prized scalp at this weekend’s season-opener in Dubai, but Springbok star Mzwandile Stick is happy with the added pressure.

Stick was skipper last season as Paul Treu’s men stormed to victory in Dubai and their home event in George, before sealing the World Series title for the first time in their history.

Former South Africa U21 captain Paul Delport will lead this season’s crack troops at The Sevens but there is no doubt that Stick will be one of Treu’s trusted lieutenants on the field come Friday’s kick-off.

The 25-year-old, a former Eastern Province and Natal Sharks player, got some big game hunting under his belt when he played against the famous British and Irish Lions earlier this year.

The full-back came on for the Southern Kings against Ian McGeechan’s tourists in a 20-8 defeat in Port Elizabeth. And he loved every minute of one of the tour’s most bruising encounters.

He said: “It was interesting playing against the Lions, it was a big honour for me to play against them, you only get one chance in 12 years. “It was a massive privilege for me but now it’s back to a focus on the Sevens and I’m just going to give my best for my country now.

“Sometimes it can be tough for the players but the one thing I enjoy the most is the space you get, and now with the discipline and the improving standards in the game, sevens is a big deal, it’s not just for fun.

“You can see the way that the teams are all getting better.

“I like the open game and I love to use my feet so I think it can only help.”

Stick is confident South Africa have the right blend for glory this season.

Key men Frankie Horne and Ryno Benjamin will once again take to the field alongside trusty campaigners Stick and Delport. And with new boys JW Jonker and Cecil Afrika also in the squad, the South Africans are confident they have the right mix of youth and experience.

They’ll find out soon enough, paired in a group with world champions Wales, local boys the Arabian Gulf and dark horses Australia.

“We know its is going to be a big challenge for us because we were number one last season,” Stick said. ?

“But we are not going to put pressure on ourselves, we are going to concentrate on our games and our structures and we are just going to take it one step at a time.

“We don’t predict we are going to defend anything but we are going to focus on our game, our skills and goals.

“They stood us well last season and we hope they can stand us in good stead this season.

All the teams know how we play but we hope we can play our own game.”

A Stick drop-goal edged out Fiji at the death in the Dubai semis last season before the Boks held their nerve to beat England in the final. And Stick, who scored a personal haul of 35 points in the tournament last season, is confident his side is ready for another flying start.

Traditional heavyweights New Zealand will be looking for a good start, and Ben Ryan’s England will be out to get revenge for last year’s heartache, but Stick said: “There are some playmakers in our side, we are looking forward to the tournament.

“We have had some good preparation in Namibia and Singapore and I think we are in the right place. We wanted to see where we are and we are close to where we want to be. It’s a big challenge.”

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