The Blitzboks went all the way to the Cup final in the previous event in Vancouver, Canada, but lost 19-14 to New Zealand.
With Fiji ending fourth after losing to Australia in the third-place playoff, it meant that the top three are closely bunched at the top of the standings, as they are separated by just three points.
Fiji had their five-point lead after the Las Vegas Sevens cut to just one as they ended the Vancouver weekend on 106, followed by South Africa on 105 and New Zealand on 104 after six out of the 10-round World Sevens Series.
So, coach Neil Powell and his South African team will be looking to get off to a good start in Pool B at the Hong Kong Sevens, which takes place on April 8-10.
The Blitzboks have drawn England, Scotland and Russia, but while they should qualify for the Cup quarterfinals, they will face a stiff challenge from England to top the pool. The loser is likely to contend with Australia from Pool C in the last-eight.
Captain Kyle Brown and his team dispatched Scotland 43-0 in their opening pool match at the Vancouver Sevens, so they should not have any problem with the Scots and Russia.
The “group of death” is arguably Pool A, where New Zealand will come up against their recent nemesis Kenya, always tough Samoa and France.
Kenya beat New Zealand 22-0 during the pool stages at the Las Vegas Sevens, so they will be confident of pulling off another upset in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong defending champions Fiji have drawn Wales, Canada and Korea in Pool D.
A 12-team qualifier tournament will also take place in Hong Kong alongside the main event to decide the new core team for the 2016-17 World Series season. Russia currently occupies that spot.
Africa will be represented by Zimbabwe and Morocco, Hong Kong and Japan are the Asian contenders, Germany and Spain (Europe), Brazil and Chile (South America), Cayman Islands and Mexico (North America), and Oceania will have Tonga and Papua New Guinea.
