Australian coach Andy Friend has called stalwart Jesse Parahi and former Brumby Stephan Van der Walt into the Cape Town squad as the team looks to improve on its fifth place finish at the Dubai Sevens.

The experienced Parahi has recovered from an ankle injury that prevented him competing in Dubai and will add valuable experience to the Australian forwards in a tough pool which includes hosts and Dubai Sevens champions, South Africa, alongside USA and Russia.

Australia lost only one match in the Dubai tournament, overcoming New Zealand (20-12) and Scotland (19-12) in two intense Day 2 matches to secure 13 points on the Sevens World Series ladder.

“The team showed great ability and character to finish in fifth after a disappointing loss in the Quarter Finals in Dubai,” Friend said.

“This tournament is about taking our game up to the next level and proving our consistency across the two days.

“With five debutants last week, we showed the depth of our young talent we have coming through this squad and we are looking forward to getting back out onto the field in Cape Town.”

Of the five debutants named last week, Sam Caslick, Charlie Taylor, Michael Adams and Simon Kennewall have all retained their places in the squad after impressing Andy Friend with their strong performances.

Australian Men’s Sevens Squad, Cape Town:

Henry Hutchison (Randwick), Jesse Parahi (Aussie 7s), Sam Myers (Norths), Alex Gibbon (Southern Districts), James Stannard (Aussie 7s), Sam Caslick (Tribe 7s), Simon Kennewell (Randwick), Stephan Van der Walt (University of Queensland), Ed Jenkins (Aussie 7s), Michael Adams (Warringah), Charlie Taylor (Warringah), Boyd Killingworth (Warringah), Tim Anstee (Eastwood).

Qantas Australia Men’s Sevens fixtures, day one:

Australia v USA, 9.27pm AEDT, Saturday 10 December
Australia v Russia, 12.48am AEDT, Sunday 11 December
Australia v South Africa, 4.56am AEDT, Sunday 11 December