adminZimbabwe, coached by Gilbert Nyamutsamba, suffered heavy losses to England and France before they beat fellow African side Kenya to finish third in their pool.
The Cheetahs went on to lose to the United States of America in the Bowl quarter-finals and were relegated to the Shield where they went down 21-12 to Samoa to bow out of the tournament empty-handed.
The Cheetahs have been forced to make two changes to their squad with captain Jacques Leitao and vice-captain Daniel Hondo back home due to different circumstances.
Leitao could not get more time from work and his place has been taken up in the team by Mike Morris while Hondo suffered a foot injury during a training match in Dubai and was ruled out of the Dubai tournament. He has been replaced by Matabeleland Busters winger Lloyd Machanjaira.
With Leitao and Hondo both not available, veteran Fortune Chipendu has assumed the captaincy.
In South Africa, Zimbabwe have been drawn in Pool D with Fiji, Portugal and world Sevens rugby champions Wales.
Zimbabwe will count on the experience of Chipendu, Gardner Nechironga, Tangai Nemadire, Gerald Sibanda, Wesley Mbanje, Njabulo Ndlovu and Manasah Sita who should gel well with youngsters Justin Coles, Machanjaira, Morris, Graham Kaulback and Tafadzwa Chitokwindo.
derick.khumalo