Plaatjies will run out at The Sevens Stadium in Dubai for the first time, although she has donned the green and gold before, in Toulouse and Cape Town.

“Those were good learnings then, but once we qualified for the World Series through the two Challenger Series tournaments, the intensity just moved up so much,” the Public Administration graduate from the University of Fort Hare explained.

“Even the Africa Cup win, where we qualified for next year's Olympic Games, made us realise that we are now amongst the elite teams in the world. That means that every match will be very competitive, but we would not have gone through the efforts to qualify and then not accept the challenges we will face.

“Our main aim is to stay on the circuit and that means constant performances over many months and tournaments. That said, it all starts here in Dubai, a place I am really excited to play. I was here last year when we played in the International Invitational tournament so I know what to expect of the conditions, but the opponents will be something else.”

A familiar visitor to Dubai, Libbie Janse van Rensburg, is in the UAE for a 10^th visit, but the first in green and gold.

“I travelled here nine times with Tuks Women and will always treasure those moments, but it is quite special to come here in green and gold,” she said.

“This tournament will be challenging, but we have worked hard and prepared well back home in Stellenbosch. The challenge to get here was tough, but the real challenge will come when we face the best teams in the world. There is a synergy in the team that makes me positive about the weekend.”

The Springbok Women Sevens will face New Zealand, Fiji and Great Britain in Pool A on Saturday.