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 De Villiers' new reign'


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.

At Super 14 level, three South African teams are currently anchored to the bottom of the table, accentuated by the Lions and the Cheetahs. The Bulls hopefully are not setting a precedent as to how an African defending champion performs, with the Pretorian team being decidedly average this season.

The Sharks have been an impressive defensive operation but have been one of the worst offensive teams in the tournament, despite over a third of the team being World Cup-winning Springboks.

The Stormers, coached by Rassie Erasmus and captained by Springbok certainty Jean de Villiers, have been the benchmark South African team and are a definite Super 14 title chance. The Cape Town team have been complete across the park, with 11 international in their squad and probably at least another four men who will earn debut Springbok caps this year.

It has been their confidence in attack, abrasiveness in the loose and ability at the set-piece that has led them to be title threats. Wise Southern hemisphere coaches base their international teams around their strongest province, and new coach De Villiers will be prudent to do the same.

The Springboks pack will be menacing and looks to have solid depth this year. Brian Mujati, Beast Mtawarira and Gurthro Steenkamp have all been in good touch, with captain Smit to round out the front row. Likely Bakkies Botha will be re-joined by Victor Matfield, as they are probably amongst the world’s best jumping tight forwards.

In the loose, De Villiers could probably field two or three world-class trios, with Ryan Kankowski, Luke Watson and Juan Smith the standouts alongside the currently injured Schalk Burger.

In the halves, Ricky Januarie, Ruan Pieenar and incumbent Fourie du Preez are all of international class, it is just picking which player’s game complements the 2008 Boks gameplan.

At number 10 their options are short, with Peter Grant the only real choice. There are plenty of options, but all have been inconsistent this year.  Butch James could be recalled from Bath, but that would complete the selection of three overseas players. James has been in magnificent form and is the World Cup-winning fly-half.

Jean de Villiers has been the standout inside centre of the entire Super 14. But who will play outside him? Waylon Murray and Jacque Fourie have been inconsistent and in and out of their starting 15s, so a case could be made for Jean’s Stormers partner Gcobani Bobo. He has been growing in confidence, and his combination with the De Villiers would hold him in good stead.

The three-quarter line should be no issue, with a complete Luftwaffe of flying African wings. Who plays full-back will depend who gets the nod between the in-form Conrad Jantjes or Percy Montgomery.

The Boks' first test will be against the Welsh, whose challenge to the world champions grows weaker with each passing injury. Warren Gatland will ensure his charges are tactically ready, but the Red Dragons did not face an outfit of the power and class of the South Africans during their Six Nations romp.

The Italians will be a credible test, but do not have the X factor and are not at a level where they can compete with a top-tier team on home soil.  Former Springbok coach Nick Mallet will have them rehearsed on what to expect.

The Tri-Nations, as always, will be the ultimate litmus test. The All Blacks have been the one global power to have had the Springboks' measure in recent years and, while the Boks have had more success against the Black tide of the last four years than any other country, the New Zealanders will feel sated if they can peg back the world champions by defending their Tri-Nations crown.

Two of their three tests are on New Zealand soil and it has been nine years since the Springboks defeated the All Blacks at their home fortress.

The Wallabies, under new coach Robbie Deans, will be another test, with honours relatively shared in recent years. Aside from the 49-0 drubbing the Wallabies inflicted in 2006, more than half of their 20 encounters this millennium have been decided by less than six points.

The end-of-year tour sees the Springboks play England, Scotland and Wales - which will be anyone’s game. The Africans will be battle-hardened but weary and, by then, their opponents will have had a full season to watch the world champions.

2009 then leads to a Lions tour - and this will be the year for the number one team to build momentum.