With four of nine rounds completed on the 2011/12 HSBC Sevens World Series there are just 12 points separating the top four teams in the current standings.
Last week's champions New Zealand are top with 73 points following two successive Cup victories in Port Elizabeth and Wellington, whilst the Gold Coast Sevens champions Fiji are second with 70 and England, triumphant in Dubai, are third with 64.
USA Sevens defending champions South Africa are fourth with 61 points and despite not having won a Cup this season coach Paul Treu believes they are still in the hunt to win the World Series as the half way stage approaches.
"We are lucky that we are still in the hunt and one of the top four teams," said Treu.
"We have seen it in the first three rounds, we had different teams winning them all. Obviously New Zealand are taking the lead at the moment, with Fiji behind them, but us and England are still fighting to stay in the hunt.
"At the moment Fiji and New Zealand are the in-form teams, but for us it is about staying the distance."
England and South Africa both narrowly missed out on progressing past the sides above them in the Cup competition at the Westpac Stadium last weekend.
England let a 12-0 lead slip against New Zealand in the semis and South Africa allowed Fiji to score three tries in the final four minutes to eventually lose 21-5 in their Cup quarter final.
The defending Series champions New Zealand went on to beat their closest rivals Fiji in the final, and if they can win a third successive tournament this weekend then they will be on course to win a 10th Series title in 13 years.
"If New Zealand can go out and win again it will be an amazing achievement," added Treu.
"They have a few senior guys who can really turn it up when it matters most and they are so consistent over the tournaments and over the season and that is what is keeping them up there.
"Gordon Tietjens is one of the most experienced coaches around and they are definitely going to go out to try and win another tournament. It is very difficult to achieve but they are one of a few teams who can go out and achieve exactly that."
Turning point
Should Tietjens' side slip up this weekend however then Fiji, England and South Africa have to take advantage and South Africa will look use last year's victory as momentum on 10-12 February.
At the same stage last year they had also failed to win a Cup title before beating Fiji at the Sam Boyd Stadium, the first of three victories in the final five tournaments.
They will be looking to repeat that this time around and close the gap on those teams above them in what is shaping up to be a pivotal tournament in this Series.
"Last year was a turning point for us after we had one of our worst tournaments in Wellington, but to come here and turn it around with our first USA Sevens title was an amazing achievement for us as a team.
"It is good to know we are coming back as defending champions and we come here with good memories but it is a different season with different challenges.
"For any team they would like to go out there and win, because it is all about consistency throughout the season."
South Africa are joined by France, Wales and Uruguay in Pool B, whilst New Zealand face matches with Australia, Japan and Samoa.
England will play Scotland, Brazil and Kenya whilst Fiji meet Canada, USA and Argentina in Pool B.
