Tonderai Chavhanga made his international debut for the Springboks as a 21 year old on 11 June 2005 on the right wing, in a home game against Uruguay at the Basil Kenyon Stadium in East London. Chavhanga scored six tries in the match and now holds the South African record for the number of tries scored in one game.
Chavhanga began his career at Free State in 2002 before moving onto the Stormers in 2008 when Rassie Erasmus was appointed coach. It was during the 2008 Super 14 that Chavhanga showed his most impressive and consistent form and he was again selected for the Springboks. A couple of unfortunate injuries resulted in him losing momentum and after an unsuccessful stint at the Lions, Chavhanga moved to United Kingdom and signed a contract with Gwent Dragons.
Thought to be the fastest man in world rugby, a fact which former Springbok coach Jake White makes mention of in his book (In Black and White) where he describes him as 'possibly the fastest rugby player in South African history, and in the world at the moment', Chavhanga will bring a fantastic turn of pace to the Gwent Dragons.
Date of Birth: 24/12/1983
Position: Wing
Height: 184 cm
Weight: 86 kg
Currently contracted to: Newport Gwent Dragons
A product of Grey High School (Port Elizabeth), JJ Engelbrecht is rated as one of the most promising young talents in South Africa.
A classical wing, Engelbrecht is powerful with ball in hand and blessed with great speed. The former Eastern Province Craven Week and Under-19 star attended Stellenbosch University after school, playing for the famous Maties 1st XV, before becoming a permanent member of the 2010 Western Province Currie Cup squad, having made his debut for the region in 2009.
2012 has been a watershed year for Engelbrecht - after moving to the Blue Bulls at the beginning of the year, Engelbrecht has put in some outstanding performances for the Pretoria-based franchise. On top of that, Engelbrecht, who is highly rated by Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer, was chosen to be part of the Springbok squad for the England Test Series in South Africa.
Date of Birth: 22/02/89
Position: Wing / Centre
Height: 1.90m
Weight: 91kg
Currently contracted to: Blue Bulls
Possessing both pace and power, Hendricks is an explosive winger who has had a superb 2011 season for Currie Cup First Division champions Boland.
His fantastic skills and great vision have caught the eye of South African sevens coach Paul Treu who rates the young flyer highly.
Still only 23 years of age, this young game-breaker certainly has a bright future ahead of him.
Date of Birth: 18/04/88
Position: Wing
Height: 1.89m
Weight: 95kg
Currently contracted to: SA Sevens
Young star Steven Hunt has established himself as a top quality Sevens player and an extremely dangerous finisher in the full version of the game as well.
A product of Grey High School, Hunt has electric pace and impressive skill level - making both a great try-scorer and try maker.
Date of Birth: 14/11/88
Position: Wing
Height: 1.79m
Weight: 81kg
Currently contracted to: SA Sevens
Blue Bulls flyer, Travis Ismaiel has made an outstanding start to his rugby career. A former track star who ran the 400m in 47.74 seconds, Ismaiel represented the Blue Bulls U19 team in 2011 and the following year was chosen to represent South Africa at the IRB Junior World Championships.
A powerful winger with great pace and lightning feet, Ismaiel was an integral part of the South African team that won the IRB Junior World Championships in 2012.
Still only 20-years-old, Ismaiel is certainly showing the promise to go all the way.
Date of Birth: 02/06/92
Position: Wing / Centre
Height: 1.90m
Weight: 94kg
Currently contracted to: Blue Bulls
Fullback Richard Lawson began his professional career with Western Province in the Vodacom Cup in 2006 before, in 2009, he made the move to Kimberley to join Griquas.
A powerful counter-attacking weapon, Lawson offers his team a big boot from the back as well as a powerful and willing ball carrier.
Born in Johannesburg, Lawson attended Wynberg in the Western Cape and, in 2008, represented the Emerging Springboks at the 2008 IRB Nations Cup.
Date of Birth: 20/10/86
Position: Wing
Height: 1.84cm
Weight: 90kgs
Currently contracted to: Griquas
Former Maties flyer Wilhelm Loock has been a star player for the University of Stellenbosch over the course of the last three seasons.
A prolific try-scorer, Loock is a big, strong wing who learnt his trade in the South Western Districts before moving to Cape Town.
Loock represented Western Province at Under-19.
Date of Birth: 14/01/87
Position: Wing
Height: 1.85m
Weight: 85kg
Currently contracted to: Pumas
Rated as one of South Africa's best up-and-coming wings, Marcello Sampson burst onto the scene while playing for the University of Cape Town in the Varsity Cup.
Schooled at Wynberg Boys High School, Sampson has represented Western Province at both Under-19 and Under-21 levels.
Sampson currently stands as the all-time leading try-scorer in the Varsity Cup and is widely regarded as a lethal finisher - snapping up any half chance which might come his way.
Date of Birth: 27/03/87
Position: Wing
Height: 1.83m
Weight: 87 kg
Currently contracted to: EP Kings
Lions utility back Deon van Rensburg came through the ranks at the Leopards, representing the Potchefstroom-based side at age-group level before making his Currie Cup debut in 2004.
2009 was a breakout year for Van Rensburg who was called up to the Lions Super 14 side after a number of outstanding performances for the Leopards. Later that same year he was chosen to represent the Emerging Springboks against the British & Irish Lions.
An astute player with good pace and great vision, Van Rensburg has played most of his career at fullback but is comfortable slotting in at both centre and wing.
Date of Birth: 24/01/82
Position: Fullback
Height: 1.78m
Weight: 95kg
Currently contracted to: Lions
An exciting winger with great pace and a high work-rate, Willis not only represented the Blue Bulls throughout age-group level but also South Africa during two IRB Junior World Championship campaigns.
After a busy 2010 season where he played for TUT (in the FNB Varsity Cup), Pumas and the Blue Bulls in both the Currie Cup and Vodacom Cup, the Leopards were delighted to capture the flyer for 2011.
Willis has been in superb form during the 2011 Currie Cup, showing his enjoyment for the physical aspects of the game and his outstanding finishing abilities.
Date of Birth: 11/10/1988
Position: Wing
Height: 182 cm
Weight: 90 kg
Currently contracted to: Tuks
