How the Boks will be looking to spring back from Super 14 mediocrity

New coach Peter de Villiers will bring a wealth of experience to his role in charge of South Africa, with Under-19, Under-21 and emerging Springboks coaching experience.

He is the first ever black coach of the national team. He recently appointed World Cup-winner John Smit as his captain - a fitting move considering he led the Africans in their victorious 2007 campaign.

However, it is official SA policy that no more than three players not currently playing in South Africa can be selected for the national team - and with Smit this limits De Villiers to only two other players.

There is considerable depth in the Springbok set-up, although some pundits argue that the halves midfield axis could be a sticking point in his new reign.