South Africa will be vying for two clinical performances in the Dubai heat this weekend.

The first round of this season's SVNS Series kicks off this weekend in Dubai with the South African men's and women's team on the circuit together for the first time since 2014/2015.

The two sides will travel to eight different venues across the globe in an effort to seal the newly packaged world series title.

The Blitzboks finished in the world series in seventh place last season. Their worst in a long time, having never finished lower than fourth in the ten seasons prior.

It was head coach Sandile Ngcobo's first season in charge of the side after Neil Powell's nine-year tenure.

Assistant coach Philip Snyman will lead the side this weekend, after Ngcobo suffered an Achilles injury and was advised not to travel by the medical team.

"It is important to learn from past mistakes, but I would like to think that we closed that chapter and book," said Snyman, referencing last season's slow start as a coaching team.

"This is a fresh start and one Sandile and I are very excited about. We have a good squad assembled with a lot of proven players, but also a nice addition of youth and new faces.

"So, although the team...