It was only the second career win for Schoeman in the International Triathlon Union’s flagship competition - and formed the ideal rehearsal for his Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games effort in April.

He achieved it in remarkable fashion by becoming only the second man in WTS history to win the race after leading in each of the three swim, bike and run disciplines from start to finish, in what was a sprint-distance event.

Silver went to Spain's WTS champion of 2016 and 2017, Mario Mola, with France's Vincent Luis claiming bronze on a day when unseasonal desert rain made the roads slippery for cycling on a course that takes in part of the Formula One route.

Among those crashing out was Britain's former world champion Jonathan Brownlee.

It comes after Schoeman was cleared of any wrongdoing in January following reports of a failed drugs test at the Rio 2016 Olympics.

"To be honest, I am just so happy there really is no words to explain," said Schoeman, who took silver in last month's sprint event in Cape Town in the ITU World Cup.

"It has been a tough year since the Olympics and it just feels so good to have a statement.

"I just tried to play it safe out there.

"I found myself in front on the bike and before I knew it I had a gap and the gap grew.

"Mario is a fantastic runner, so I was running scared.

"But my fitness is there and it is good to have a race like this, it told me I am in great form as the Commonwealth Games is my next race.

"I am so thrilled, the last time I was on the top step was in Cozumel in 2016 and I am so glad I did it in such a great way."

Mola, a winner in Abu Dhabi in 2015 and 2016, said: "I am happy with how the race went.

"It was really slippery, so just to make it into transition without a crash I think it was a completion. 

"I am very happy,

"I didn't give up until I saw Henri on the blue carpet already celebrating."

Mola produced the fastest run time of the race, 14min 27sec, to finish six seconds behind the South African, who clocked 57.03.

Luis, who clocked 57.25, commented: “I spent a lot of energy on the bike.

"A lot of people were crashing right in front of me.

"Jonny Brownlee crashing is a nonsense - it’s Jonny Brownlee.

"I had quite a good run, not quite as good as I expected, but it’s the first race, a sprint race and it’s only March so we have plenty of time until the end of the season.

"I would prefer to be third place than to be crashing."

In the women's race, The Netherlands' Rachel Klamer won a maiden WTS title.

She stormed away on the final lap of the run to become the 21st woman to win a race on the circuit.

"I am so happy, there was no way I was expecting this," she said. 

"I have to say I was quite scared on the bike because the last few months I have been training on only straight roads and didn't do any corners. 

"There was a lot of women crashing so I just decided to take it easy, ride hard, but just go easy through the corners."

Britain's Jessica Learmonth was second and Australia's Natalie Van Coevorden third.