BACKS

Francois Steyn (Sharks)

A raw talent, Steyn will be even more crucial now that the Springboks have lost Conrad Jantjes through injury. Possesses a dangerous boot, which is likely to be seen from full-back.

Age: 21. Position: Full-back. Height: 6ft 3in. Weight: 15st 8lb. South Africa caps: 27

Bryan Habana (Bulls)

Simply the most exciting winger in the game. Habana has had a quiet year with injury and loss of form, but his tremendous speed means he can never be underestimated.

Age: 25. Position: Wing. Height: 5ft 10in. Weight: 14st 8lb. South Africa caps: 46

JP Pietersen (Sharks)

Made his breakthrough to the senior ranks after an outstanding 2007 Super 14. An impressive finisher, Pietersen is a hard-working winger, whose deceptive pace make him an added threat.

Age: 22. Position: Wing. Height: 6ft 2in. Weight: 15st 4lb. South Africa caps: 24

Jongi Nokwe (Cheetahs)

In only his third game, Nokwe became the first Springbok to score four tries against Australia. A tricky player who will provide good back-up for the other wingers.

Age: 27. Position: Wing. Height: 6ft 0in. Weight: 13st 2lb. South Africa caps: 3

Odwa Ndungane (Sharks)

Ndungane will play second fiddle to the likes of Habana and Pietersen but if given a chance he has pace to burn.

Age: 28. Position: Wing. Height: 6ft 0in. Weight: 15st 0lb. South Africa caps: 3

Jean de Villiers (Stormers)

The most creative player in South Africa's backline. Wonderfully inventive with a terrific turn of pace.

Age: 28. Position: Centre. Height: 6ft 2in. Weight: 16st 2lb. South Africa caps: 46

Adrian Jacobs (Sharks)

Injury spoilt parts of Jacobs' Super 14 season, but when he did play he was outstanding. He is one of the most creative players in midfield and combined well with De Villiers last season.

Age: 28. Position: Centre. Height: 5ft 10in. Weight: 14st 3lb. South Africa caps: 21

Jaque Fourie (Lions)

Fourie complements De Villiers perfectly and brings some real steel to the Bok backs as well, but may well have to settle on the bench with the coach preferring Jacobs.

Age: 26. Position: Centre. Height: 6ft 2in. Weight: 15st 1lb. South Africa caps: 42

Ruan Pienaar (Sharks)

A versatile performer who was handed the number 10 jersey on the Springboks' year-end tour to Europe. Can fill practically every position in the backline and is the coach's preferred choice.

Age: 25. Position: Fly-half. Height: 6ft 1in. Weight: 14st 8lb. South Africa caps: 27

Morne Steyn (Bulls)

If coach Peter de Villiers is looking for a consistent goal-kicker, there is no-one better than Steyn. The outstanding Super 14 fly-half and a good game dictator with his boot.

Age: 24. Position: Fly-half. Height: 6ft 0in. Weight: 14st 3lb. South Africa caps: 0

Andre Pretorius (Lions)

Pretorius was a favourite of former coach Jake White, but injuries have hampered him and he could be the third-choice number 10 come the Lions tour. A possible cover option for full-back.

Age: 30. Position: Fly-half. Height: 5ft 9in. Weight: 14st 2lb. South Africa caps: 31

Fourie du Preez (Bulls)

A certain starter, Du Preez will be a key player, especially after another outstanding Super 14 campaign.

Age: 27. Position: Scrum-half. Height: 5ft 11in. Weight: 13st 9lb. South Africa caps: 43

Enrico Januarie (Stormers)

Tough-as-teak scrum-half, he is a capable understudy, who relishes the heat of battle although his distribution is not always of the highest order.

Age: 27. Position: Scrum-half. Height: 5ft 6in. Weight: 12st 9lb. South Africa caps: 34

Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks)

Known as the Beast, the Zimbabwe-born prop has established his place in the team over the past year. A strong scrummager, big tackler and powerful ball-carrier, he will need to be at his best against a strong Lions pack.

Age: 23. Position: Prop. Height: 6ft 2in. Weight: 18st 6lb. South Africa caps: 10

Gurthro Steenkamp (Bulls)

Steenkamp is a typical South African front-rower. Tough as teak and a real competitor.

Age: 27. Position: Prop. Height: 6ft 1in. Weight: 18st 6lb. South Africa caps: 20

Jannie du Plessis (Sharks)

A qualified doctor, who could even start if the coach opts to select an all-Sharks front row. He is strong on his feet and can do an equally good job playing off the bench.

Age: 26. Position: Prop. Height: 6ft 2in. Weight: 19st 1lb. South Africa caps: 7

Chiliboy Ralepelle (Bulls)

After one of his most injury-free seasons in recent years, South Africa's youngest ever captain, who has had plenty of success at junior levels, should provide good cover at hooker.

Age: 22. Position: Hooker. Height: 5ft 10in. Weight: 16st 5lb. South Africa caps: 3

Bismarck du Plessis (Sharks)

Talented hooker who is widely regarded as an even better hooker than the captain. His athletic and powerful presence could see him start if Smit is shifted to tight-head.

Age: 24. Position: Hooker. Height: 6ft 2in. Weight: 17st 6lb. South Africa caps: 21

John Smit (Sharks)

Captain and inspirational leader, South Africa's most capped forward does his talking on the pitch. A fearsome competitor, Smit has recently been shifted from his usual position as hooker to tight-head prop.

Age: 31. Position: Hooker. Height: 6ft 2in. Weight: 18st 4lb. South Africa caps: 81

Victor Matfield (Bulls)

For many he is the best second-row forward in the world. Supreme in the lineout, rock-solid in the scrum and no mean performer in the loose either.

Age: 31. Position: Lock. Height: 6ft 6in. Weight: 17st 2lb. South Africa caps: 80

Bakkies Botha (Bulls)

Botha is a tower of strength to the Boks and is the ideal foil for Matfield. Will be one of the key figures if the Springboks are to win the battle of the forwards.

Age: 29. Position: Lock. Height: 6ft 7in. Weight: 18st 9lb. South Africa caps: 55

Andries Bekker (Stormers)

One of the tallest locks in world rugby, Bekker is an outstanding lineout jumper with exceptional mobility. Will be needed to fill in when Matfield and Botha are given a breather.

Age: 25. Position: Lock. Height: 6ft 9in. Weight: 18st 9lb. South Africa caps: 13

Danie Rossouw (Bulls)

Versatile forward who can operate equally efficiently in the second row or as a flanker.

Age: 30. Position: Lock. Height: 6ft 6in. Weight: 18st 1lb. South Africa caps: 36

Schalk Burger (Stormers)

Burger's all-action style has thrilled rugby fans regardless of affiliation. Seemingly has a total disregard for his own safety and is one of the game's most tenacious tacklers.

Age: 26. Position: Flanker. Height: 6ft 4in. Weight: 17st 3lb. South Africa caps: 49

Juan Smith (Cheetahs)

Another of the key players for the Boks although he does not get as many headlines as the more flamboyant Burger. Great ball carrier who thrives on making the big hits.

Age: 27. Position: Flanker. Height: 6ft 5in. Weight: 17st 0lb. South Africa caps: 54

Heinrich Brussow (Cheetahs)

A young and energetic flanker, Brussow only debuted against England at the end of last year. An excellent Super 14, keeps him in the mix, although he may have to wait his turn.

Age: 22. Position: Flanker. Height: 5ft 11in. Weight: 15st 4lb. South Africa caps: 1

Pierre Spies (Bulls)

Without doubt, one of the most gifted players in South Africa, who was robbed of World Cup glory through injury. Has tremendous pace and is a favourite of the coach.

Age: 23. Position: Number Eight. Height: 6ft 4in. Weight: 16st 9lb. South Africa caps: 19

Ryan Kankowski (Sharks)

Not short of speed and agility himself at number eight, Kankowski is unlucky to be playing at the same time as Spies. Excellent in the loose play and also has the ability to mix it up in the tight phases as well.

Age: 23. Position: Number Eight. Height: 6ft 4in. Weight: 16st 5lb. South Africa caps: 7

MANAGEMENT

Peter de Villiers (Head coach)

Age: 51 (born Paarl)

A scrum-half for his club Young Gardens in the apartheid era, his CV includes coaching South Africa's under-21s to the World Cup title in 2005. Was a controversial choice when appointed Springbok boss and will be eager to prove his critics wrong.

Gary Gold (Assistant coach)

Age: 41 (born Johannesburg)

One of the most respected tactical analysts in the game, Gold's previous experience as coach of London Irish will certainly drawn on by De Villiers. Also renowned for his academic and precise approach to coaching.

Dick Muir (Assistant coach)

Age: 44 (born Kokstad)

Muir was in charge of the Sharks when he was appointed South Africa assistant. Was a highly-respected player and as a coach led the Durban franchise back to the top of domestic and Super 14 rugby, including a runners-up finish in 2007.

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