The South Africans depart for the Middle East on Monday evening knowing that they need to reach the final of this standalone tournament in the World Rugby Challenger Series on 17 and 18 January to qualify for SVNS 2, the next hurdle for them to regain core status on the world series.
"The players sacrificed a lot of the last couple of weeks, training while everyone else was seemingly having a break or a good time," said Afrika of the 20 players' efforts at their Stellenbosch Academy of Sport training camp in recent weeks.
"They all know what is at stake though and I cannot fault the effort of everyone that was involved. The 12 players selected have to go and do the job on behalf of the whole group and with the experience in the squad, I am confident we have what it takes.
"Our focus is on our standards and processes. We know what we need to do and by keeping our focus, how to get there," added Afrika, who took over the coaching responsibilities in November last year.
The SA coach settled on the same 12 players who travelled to Kenya two months ago, where they won the Rugby Africa Women's Sevens tournament, a victory that gave them entry into the Dubai event.
Nadine Roos will again lead the team, while the likes of Zintle Mpupha, Byrhandre Dolf and Ayanda Malinga will have more sevens fitness in their legs compared to two months ago, when they were recent returnees from the Women's Rugby World Cup in England.
It will also be two months down the line for Simamkele Namba and Liske Lategan, who both returned from long-term injuries at the time.
Afrika said they know what is expected of them and they are ready for the challenge that awaits in Pool A, where the South Africans will play Mexico, Czechia, and Thailand on Saturday, while Argentina, Colombia, Poland and Samoa will contest Pool B.
The two finalists on Sunday will qualify for the three tournaments in HSBC SVNS 2, to be played in Nairobi (14-15 February), Montevideo (21-22 March) and Sao Paulo (28-29 March).
Springbok Women's Sevens squad for Dubai
Leigh Fortuin, Asisipho Plaatjies, Patience Mokone, Zintle Mpupha, Maria Tshiremba, Nadine Roos (captain), Byrhandré Dolf, Liske Lategan, Simamkele Namba, Vianca Boer, Shiniqwa Lamprecht, Ayanda Malinga.
Pool schedule (SA times)
Saturday 17 January
09h06: Mexico
12h22: Czechia
15h38: Thailand
The Springbok Women's Sevens 'A' secured two victories on the first day at the International Invitational tournament in Dubai, first seeing off LV Hammerheads before beating Sweden.
The Springbok Women's Sevens 'A' remain unbeaten after the second day of the International Invitational in Dubai after beating Poland and then playing to a draw with Ireland Invitational.
The Springbok Women's Sevens 'A' side was knocked out in the semifinals of the International Invitational in Dubai, but coach Cecil Afrika was happy with the performance.
Shiniqwa Lamprecht has been appointed captain of the Springbok Women's Sevens 'A' squad for this weekend's International Invitational tournament at the Emirates Dubai Sevens.
