Springbok Sevens utility player Marius Schoeman was on Tuesday forced to withdraw from the Bok Sevens squad due to a calf injury.

Schoeman sustained the injury during a warm up session at the Arabian Ranches. Vodacom Blue Bulls Under-21 winger Deon Helberg has been called up as his replacement.

Helberg was a member of the SA Vipers team who played over the weekend in Sri Lanka and recently starred for the SA Students in Singapore.

The Springbok Sevens kick off the defence of their IRB Sevens World Series title against Sevens World Cup winners Wales on Friday morning.

South Africa is also the defending Dubai Sevens champions.