South Africa will have to do without the outstanding Juan de Jongh at the USA Sevens in San Diego this week after the 19 year old impressed so much for Paul Treu's side in Wellington that he was called away as cover for the Stormers.

The loss, though, may yet prove to be a blessing in disguise for the Boks. Experienced playmaker Mzwandile Stick, South Africa's current Sevens player of the year, has flown in as cover after proving his fitness.

The inclusion of Stick makes Paul Treu's squad by far the most experienced collectively, with 210 events played between the 12 players selected. New Zealand are the second most experienced, Gordon Tietjens' men having played in a combined 171 events.

England coach Ben Ryan has called on Kevin Barrett and Tom Tombleson to fly to San Diego, Barrett replacing scrum half Danny Care, who steps up to the England Saxons bench against Italy on Saturday. Tombleson makes his debut and replaces centre Ayoola Erinle, who returns for club duty with Leicester Tigers.

Canada's Rugby World Cup captain Morgan Williams, meanwhile, has come out of retirement to play for former team mate Shane Thompson. Williams hung up his boots after the World Cup and has since been appointed national skills coach, but comes in as one of three changes forced on Thompson by injury or other commitments. Rob Turk and Nathan Hirayama also come into the squad.

Victor Oduor and Horace Otieno have flown into San Diego for Kenya, while Gabriel Ascarate and Rob Horne make their series debuts for Argentina and Australia respectively.

IRB Sevens experience

210 combined event caps - South Africa
171 - New Zealand
160 - Samoa
150 - Argentina
116 - Kenya
98 - England
85 - Canada
74 - Wales
70 - France, Fiji
65 - Australia
61 - USA
60 - Scotland
17 - Chile
12 - West Indies
8 - Mexico

Statistical analysis by Hour Glass Vision