Former Stellenbosch University flank 'Boetie' Britz is widely considered as one of South Africa's most unexploited gems. A powerful loose forward who strikes fear into opposition teams because of his ferocious defence, Britz has only had his career progress hampered thus far due to a couple of unfortunate injuries.
Originally from Mossel Bay, Britz attended Oakdale High School and was a member of the 2005 SA Schools side. A year later, after playing for the Western Province Under- 19 side, Conraad was selected for the Springbok Under-19 side.
Brits made his Vodacom Cup debut for Western Province in 2008 and has been a member of two Varsity Cup winning Maties sides - in 2009 and 2010.
In 2011 Britz joined the Southern Kings and quickly made his mark at the region. His hard work around the pitch, coupled with his destructive defence, is an asset not many players can rival.
Date of Birth: 28/07/87
Position: Openside Flank
Height: 1.85m
Weight: 108kg
Currently contracted to: EP Kings
International Honours: South Africa Under-19 (2006), SA
Schools
(2005)
Media: Wrecking-ball Britz big hit
Dynamic openside flank Ashley Clarke began his career with Western Province, representing them at age-group level before making his Currie Cup debut in 2003.
After short stints with the SWD Eagles and the Leopards, Clarke decided to make the move to France and joined Racing Metro in 2006. A strong ball carrier and specialist at the breakdowns, Clarke was a key member of the Racing Metro team that eventually won promotion into the Top 14 in 2010.
Currently playing for Massy, Clarke's tough defence and hard work around the pitch have made him a valuable asset to the Pro D2 team.
Date of Birth: 12/02/82
Position: Openside Flank
Height: 1.82m
Weight: 115kg
Currently contracted to: Massy
England Sevens star Chris Cracknell has become an important part of Ben Ryan’s ambitious squad over the last couple of years.
While his credentials in the smaller version of the game are well known, Cracknell is also a very accomplished fifteens player – having gained Premiership experience with both Bath and Worcester in recent seasons.
Powerful, quick and skilful, the Windsor-born star has a great workrate in both forms of the games – featuring as a dynamic flank forward in the full version of the sport.
Cracknell recently became one of England's few fully contracted Sevens players, confirming his status as a key member of Ben Ryan's squad.
Date of Birth: 06/08/84
Position: Loose Forward
Height: 1.89m
Weight: 108kg
Currently contracted to: England Sevens
SA Sevens star Chris Dry came through the ranks at Free State, making his Currie Cup debut in 2009.
Possessing great pace and superb skills, it wasn't long before SA Sevens coach Paul Treu took notice and signed the athletic loose forward.
Dry has become an integral part of the SA Sevens team and has enjoyed two fantastic season on the HSBC Sevens World Series.
Date of Birth: 13/02/88
Position: Flank / No.8
Height: 1.91m
Weight: 98kg
Currently contracted to: SA Sevens
A former SA Schools star, powerful looseforward Leon Karemaker has been tipped for great things in South African rugby.
Karemaker made his professional debut for Western Province in 2005 following two successful years with the Under-20 side.
Powerful and skilful, Karemaker moved to Griquas in 2010 and starred for Dawie Theron's side in the Vodacom Cup.
Date of Birth: 18/05/85
Position: Blindside Flank / No.8
Height: 1.91m
Weight: 100kg
Currently contracted to: Griquas
International Honours: SA Under-19 (2003-04)
Christo Le Roux matriculated at Oakdale Agricultural High School and after school decided to accept a bursary from University of Potchefstroom (Pukke). He represented North West Leopards in u21 competition and then returned to George to represent SWD Eagles in 2008.
In 2009, he moved to Mpumulanga Pumas to compete in the Top 8 Currie Cup and he has been a consistent performer at no.8 for 3 seasons. A big ball carrier, Le Roux regularly breaks tackles and crosses the advantage line.
Date of Birth: 28/03/85
Position: No.8
Height: 1.91m
Weight: 108kg
Currently contracted to: Pumas
Back row forward Benjamin Macome has been involved in the Argentina setup since a young age, having represented the U19 team in 2005 and going on to make his senior debut in 2009.
A naturally gifted rugby player, Macome's strong ball carrying abilities and superb link-up play have made a valuable member of the Argentine national side.
A strong runner and tough defender, Macome also displays fine leadership qualities and has captained his national side on a number of occasions.
Date of Birth: 10/01/86
Position: Flank / No.8
Height: 1.91m
Weight: 108kg
Currently contracted to: Pampas
Explosive flanker, Khaya Majola, continues to impress at the Sharks having represented the KwaZulu-Natal-based franchise throughout age-group level.
Highly rated by South Africa U20 coach Dawie Theron, Majola was part of the South Africa U20 side that lifted the IRB Junior World Championships trophy in 2012.
A powerful flanker with superb ball skills and great vision, Majola has a bright future ahead of him.
Date of Birth: 13/03/92
Position: Flank
Height: 1.85m
Weight: 98kg
Currently contracted to: Sharks
Powerful eighthman Genesis Mamea has come through the ranks at Wellington, representing them throughout age-group level. A big ball carrier with good pace and great hands, Mamea has also been an integral member of Wainuiomata Rugby Club, winning Player of the Year on numerous occasions.
An eight-month stint playing rugby in Italy might have been the best decision Genesis Mamea ever made. He helped San Dona win promotion to the Italian Super 10, played out of his skin for Wainuiomata on return, and is now Wellington's first choice No 8.
Apart from his outstanding ball carrying abilities, it is Mamea’s impressive work rate and brutal defense that have made him a stand out player in recent times.
Date of Birth: 22/09/89
Position: No.8 / Blindside Flank
Height: 1.92m
Weight: 110kg
Currently contracted to: Wellington
A powerful loose forward, Mostert excelled at age-group level where he represented the SA Schools side in 2006, and Western Province from 2007 -2009.
Mostert made a name for himself in the Varsity Cup competition where he helped the Maties win back-to-back titles in 2009 and 2010. Following this impressive showing, the Pumas were quick to sign the young and dynamic flanker.
Date of Birth: 22/01/88
Position: Blindside Flank
Height: 1.94m
Weight: 102kg
Currently contracted to: Valke
Strong openside flanker Kuselo Moyake began his professional career with UCT where he represented the Cape Town-based university in the FNB Varsity Cup competition for three years in a row from 2008 - 2010.
A classic fetcher with strong ball carrying abilities and an incredibly high work- rate, Moyake caught the eye of EP Kings Director of Rugby Alan Solomons who was quick to sign Moyake for the Kings' 2013 Super Rugby campaign.
Date of Birth: 07/08/86
Position: Flank
Height: 1.85m
Weight: 101kg
Currently contracted to: EP Kings
A dynamic openside flanker, Ravulo was one of the stand out performers for North Harbour in the 2010 ITM Cup Competition. He maintained this form for the Fiji national team and played an instrumental role in the 2010 international thriller against Wales which ended in a draw.
Ravulo continued to impress the Fijian selectors and was selected and played for Fiji at the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.
His impressive work ethic and physicality at the break down are two key factors that make him an effective openside option but his sheer size also means he is comfortable as a blindside or number eight.
Ravulo’s on field awareness combined with his natural speed and strength make him an explosive package in any team.
Date of Birth: 22/09/83
Position: Openside Flank
Height: 1.90m
Weight: 107kg
Currently contracted to: North Harbour
An athletic flanker, the Brumbies recruited Julian Salvi straight out of high school. The former Australian Schoolboys captain graduated through the Brumbies ' development pathway and handled the step to full-time professional training with ease. In 2004, Salvi represented Australia u19 at IRB World Championships and the following year made his Super 12 debut. From 2005 to 2009, he represented Brumbies in 49 Super Rugby games and was selected for Australia A. In 2009 he signed for Bath and had a very successful season in Northern Hemisphere regularly topping the stats in Premiership.
He was recognised for an outstanding season by claiming the Bath’s Best Forward award.
After completing the season with Bath and committing to his return to the ACT, Salvi decided to return to the Premiership for the 2011/2012 season and signed with Leicester Tigers.
Date of Birth: 09/10/1985
Position: Openside Flank / No.8
Height: 187 cm
Weight: 100 kg
Currently contracted to: Leicester Tigers
Loose forward Josh Strauss was a dominating force for the Lions in the Super 15, and the bearded star continues to impress and establish himself as one of the brightest talents in South African Rugby.
Powerful in contact, Strauss is a highly rated player who started his career with Boland and, while performing well for the Maties in the Varsity Cup in 2010, attracted attention from a number of Unions in South Africa and in Europe.
Given an opportunity at the Lions during the 2010 Currie Cup, Strauss quickly made a name for himself - impressing Kiwi Coach John Mitchell. The dynamic back row star has gone from strength to strength in recent times and was recently voted the Lions 'Fans Player of the Super 15'.
Seen as a natural leader on the park, Strauss was handed the Lions captaincy for a game in the Super 15, beating out several more experienced candidates when the regular captain was out injured. The charismatic 24 year-old has also attracted a lot of attention due to his noticeable beard - a similar style to that donned by French icon Sebastian Chabal.
Ultimately though his performances have been what have made Strauss stand out and after some outstanding performances in the 2011 Currie Cup and 2012 Super Rugby competition, Josh decided to sign a three-year deal with Scottish club Glasgow Warriors which potentially opens up the opportunity for Strauss to represent Scotland at the next World Cup.
Date of Birth: 23/10/86
Position: No.8 / Blindside Flank
Height: 1.93m
Weight: 114kg
Currently contracted to: Glasgow Warriors
Media: Lion-man Strauss on Supersport
A versatile lock/loose forward with both height and mobility, Josh Tyrell represented Waikato throughout age-group level before being included in the ITM cup squad in 2011.
A dominant ball carrier and excellent lineout technician, Tyrell's superb defence and great strength at the breakdowns make him a valuable asset to any team.
Date of Birth: 16/10/90
Position: Flank / No.8 / Lock
Height: 1.93m
Weight: 115kg
Currently contracted to: Waikato
