Eurosport continues it preview of the teams competing in next month's World Cup with a look at South Africa, one of the favourites to lift the Webb Ellis trophy in France.

SOUTH AFRICA

World Ranking: 4

Coach: Jake White

Key players: Schalk Burger (pictured), Bryan Habana, John Smit

One of the great powerhouses of world rugby, South Africa go into the World Cup as the bookies' second favourites to lift the Webb Ellis trophy.

Coach Jake White has produced a settled XV that showed during their Tri-Nations games at home earlier this summer that they are a match for favourites New Zealand, even though they went down to two late tries.

The Springboks will have arguably the most powerful pack at the World Cup, led by their superb hooker and captain John Smit.

In second row Victor Matfield they have one of the canniest line-out operators around, while the wrecking ball Schalk Burger is back to his best and ready to cause mayhem in France.

And if it is speed you're after, then look no further than wing Bryan Habana who, in the absence of Fijian flyer Rupeni Caucaunibuca, will be the fastest player at the World Cup.

If one had to pick a weakness in this South Africa team then there are question marks over the numbers 10 and 12.

Fly-half Butch James is a solid operator but perhaps lacks the creative qualities to take full advantage of the possession provided by his forwards.

As for number 12, Jean de Villiers and Wynand Oliver have been used there this summer but again neither has been completely convincing.

South Africa will feel they have something to prove this time round after their disappointing exit from the 2003 tournament, where they went down to champions England in the pool stages before losing to New Zealand in the quarter-finals.

Indeed, the 2003 Rugby World Cup was a thoroughly disappointing affair for the Springboks and their ultra-demanding public will expect nothing less than a spot in the final this time round.

Many fans still remember that glorious night in 1995 when Francois Pienaar's Springboks defeated the heavily-fancied All Blacks of Sean Fitzpatrick in the final.

It led to one of the most poignant moments in sporting history, with president Nelson Mandela, clad in a Springboks jersey, presenting the Webb Ellis trophy to Pienaar in front of a rejoicing Rainbow Nation that had not long said good riddance to apartheid.

South Africa were barred from the 1987 and 1991 World Cups due to apartheid and in 1999 they never looked serious contenders.

Although South Africa defeated England in the quarter-finals thanks to a record five drop goals from Janie de Beer, they went down to eventual champions Australia in the semi-finals.

This time round, however, the Springboks have the personnel, the experience and the coach to go all the way.

Their group clash with England in Paris on September 14 is building up to be one of the most anticipated games in World Cup history.

The winners of that game will more than likely emerge top of the pool and secure an easier route through the knock-out stages.

England have made advances in recent months, especially up front, but the all-round excellence and power of the Springboks make them favourites to win the group and enter the latter stages with their confidence in tact.

Rugby World Cup record

1987: N/A

1991: N/A

1995: Winners

1999: Semi-finals

2003: Quarter-finals

Squad

Backs: Percy Montgomery, Frans Steyn, Bryan Habana, Akona Ndungane, JP Pietersen, Ashwin Willemse, Wynand Olivier, Jaque Fourie, Jean de Villiers, Butch James, Andre Pretorius, Ricky Januarie, Ruan Pienaar, Fourie du Preez.

Forwards: Bob Skinstad, Danie Rossouw, Wikus van Heerden, Juan Smith, Schalk Burger, Johann Muller, Albert van den Berg, Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, CJ van der Linde, BJ Botha, Gurthro Steenkamp, Os du Randt, John Smit (capt), Gary Botha, Bismarck du Plessis.

Terence O'Rorke / Eurosport