The Aussie Men's Sevens side have drawn a horror pool as they name an unchanged squad for Singapore on April 8-9
They have been drawn in Pool A alongside World Series leaders New Zealand, Commonwealth Games champions South Africa and Hong Kong.
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John Manenti's side currently sits in sixth position on the World Series ladder, two points out of what has become a top-five automatic qualification for next year's Olympics with France sitting in fourth.
It comes after a horror 11th-place finish last week, having cruised through the opening two games before a loss to the USA saw them miss the quarter-finals for the first time since Cape Town.
They will carry an unchanged line-up in the event, with Maurice Longbottom overcoming a groin issue that kept him out for several games last week.
With three events left in the World Series, they will get the perfect chance to control their Olympics destiny when they open their campaign against the Blitzboks, who sit in that all-important fifth spot.
The South Africans have dominated previous encounters, winning four of their last five.
This includes eliminating the Aussies from the Commonwealth Games before going on to claim gold, backed up by a 19-12 win in Dubai.
Following this, the defending World Series champions will be out to replicate their Vancouver heroics against the All Black Sevens (4:02 pm).
A double to Henry Paterson helped the Aussies defeat the NZ counterparts 17-7 in March, the only time the Kiwis have not made the final of an event in 2023.
Since then, the World Series leaders have been unbeaten in their last eight games, including claiming last week's title with a 24-17 win over Fiji.
They will conclude Pool A with a clash with Hong Kong (7:06 pm) in a rematch of last week's 9th-place quarter-final.
The Australians were victorious on the day 22-5 despite a spirited showing from the invitational team, who finished their tournament with wins over Kenya and Canada.
Hong Kong runners-up Fiji have been drawn with Spain, Samoa and Canada in Pool B, while France will meet USA, Uruguay and Kenya in Pool C.
Great Britain, who narrowly lost in the Hong Kong bronze medal final, will meet Argentina, Ireland and Japan to round out Pool D.
The matches will be broadcasted live and on-demand via BeIN Sports and Kayo Sports
Dietrich Roache
Tim Clements
Henry Paterson
Josh Turner
Dally Bird
Matt Gonzalez
Nick Malouf (C)
Maurice Longbottom
Nathan Lawson
Ben Marr
Darby Lancaster
Max Burey
Hayden Sargeant
*All times AEST
Saturday April 8
Australia Men v South Africa Men, 12:14 pm
Australia Men v New Zealand Men, 4:02 pm
Australia Men v Hong Kong Men, 7:06 pm
