Player to watch: Joost ven der Westhuizen (Scrum half, 82 caps)

Supporting cast: Naka Drotske (Hooker, 26 caps) Johan Erasmus (Flanker, 36 caps) Pieter Rossouw (Wing, 43 caps) and some significan others.

2003: Beaten by the US in semi-finals.

Put your condo on them. This year's team brimming with stars is as strong as last year's side was weak. Big names only recently retired from the upper echelons of the sport make the Springboks clear favourites.