The Springbok Sevens suffered a major blow on the eve of their departure to Adelaide for the next IRB Sevens World Series tournament in Australia.
Australia will renew its staunch rugby rivalry with England in March after the two sides were drawn in the same pool for the Adelaide Sevens.
Samoa produced a superb display to beat New Zealand 33-12 and win the first IRB Sevens Tournament title to be contested in Las Vegas.
New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa and England all topped their groups in the IRB Sevens in Las Vegas, where USA, Japan and Guyana also shone.
The dazzling lights of Las Vegas, Nevada in the United States welcomes the fourth IRB Sevens World Series tournament this weekend in the famous glittering city.
Fiji have cliched the 2010 Wellington Sevens title after winning a stunning final 19-14 against South Sea Island rivals Samoa.
New Zealand saw off a stiff challenge from South Africa in the final game on Day One at Wellington to join Fiji, Samoa, England, Australia and Canada in the Cup quarters.
Wellington plays host to sixteen teams at Westpac Stadium this weekend, in what is shaping up to be a thrilling spectacle on the third leg of the IRB Sevens World Series.
Former Reds skills coach and Australian touch rugby expert Jason Stanton has joined the Springbok Sevens team in Wellington.
Defending champions England have arrived in Wellington, but much changed from the side that conquered Westpac Stadium last year.
Renfred Dazel, the experienced Springbok Sevens sweeper, has withdrawn from the team and his place will be filled by Branco du Preez.
International Rugby Board President Bernard Lapasset was in Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday as planning for Olympic Sevens began.
Springbok Sevens coach Paul Treu has included three uncapped players in his squad for the Series legs in New Zealand and USA.
Saracens back-row forward Don Barrell has been called into the England Sevens squad for the next two rounds of the IRB Sevens Series.
Benjamin Ayimba has been rewarded for his exceptional work with the Kenya Sevens team with a three-year full-time contract.