Smash hit

You can argue that proven internationals are exceptions to the selection rule, but if Peter de Villiers thinks the Lions are weak enough to allow him to indulge in some Utopian rugby thinking, with no attention given to such pragmatic matters as form, the real world is set to devour his dreams.

Stuart Barnes on the Springboks

15 Frans Steyn (Sharks)
Quick feet and a huge boot but not a regular full-back

14 JP Pietersen (Sharks)
Not as glamorous as Habana but a great work rate. Not great defending the high kick

13 Adrian Jacobs (Sharks)
Nimble runner and tenacious tackler but short of presence on the gain-line

12 Jean de Villiers (Stormers) The defensive controller and gain-line breaker but light years from form and fitness

11 Bryan Habana (Bulls) The finest finisher in the sport; a great chaser and defender

10 Ruan Pienaar (Sharks)
Agile in body and mind and could be magnificent. Not yet though

9 Fourie du Preez (Bulls)
The sharpest mind in rugby to go with the best tactical boot. Might just be the best player on earth

1 Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks)
Fast and furious on the charge and strong in defence

2 Bismarck du Plessis (Sharks)
Powerful ball-carrier and superb technician in the tight but has not been at his best this season

3 John Smit (Sharks)
Respected as a captain, not quite so awe-inspiring as a tighthead

4 Bakkies Botha (Bulls)
The mean man with an ability to hit the contact, the opponent, his prop’s rear end at the right time

5 Victor Matfield (Bulls)
The world’s best lineout forward and maybe the best tight forward

6 Danie Rossouw (Bulls)
Carries well but may not be such an effective fetcher at openside

8 Pierre Spies (Bulls)
One-dimensional in the sense that there is not much to his game bar pace and power

7 Juan Smith (Cheetahs)
Does everything well and the lineout brilliantly