Rugby World Cup profile: South Africa

South Africa captain John Smit lifts the Rugby World Cup in 2007 Credit: David Davies/PA Wire/Press Association Images

South Africa are one of three nations searching for their third tournament victory, along with New Zealand and Australia.

Their first Rugby World Cup win came on home soil in 1995,when then South African president Nelson Mandela famously wore the Springboks jersey at the final in Johannesburg. The second arrived 12 years later after overcoming England in the final at the Stade de France in 2007.

Can it be South Africa’s year once again? They go into England 2015 as third-favourites to lift the Webb Ellis Cup on October 31.

SQUAD

Forwards: Schalk Brits, Bismark du Plessis, Adriaan Strauss, Jannie du Plessis, Frans Malherbe, Tendai Mtawarira, Trevor Nyakane, Coenie Oosthuizen, Lood de Jager, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Victor Matfield, Willem Alberts, Schalk Burger, Siya Kolisi, Francois Louw, Duane Vermeulen.

Backs: Fourie du Preez, Rudy Paige, RuanPienaar, Patrick Lambie, Handre Pollard, Morne Steyn, Jean de Villiers (c), Damian de Allende, Jesse Kriel, Bryan Habana, Zane Kirchner, Willie le Roux, Lwazi Mvovo, JP Pietersen.

ONE TO WATCH

Bryan Habana: The poster-boy of South Africa’s 2007 Rugby World Cup win. The winger shot to fame when he equalled Jonah Lomu’s record of eight tries in a single tournament. He can also run 100m in under 11 seconds, and even once raced a cheetah for a charity stunt. But can the now 32-year-old roll back the years and rediscover his best World Cup form? His try against Argentina in last month’s World Cup warm-up match suggests he can.

Watch Habana’s try against Samoa at Rugby World Cup 2011:

NORTH EAST TRAINING BASE

Gateshead International Stadium, Gateshead Leisure Centre, Gateshead College

MATCHES (POOL B)

  • Sat 19 Sept: South Africa 32-34 Japan (Brighton Community Stadium, 4:45pm)

  • Sat 26 Sept: South Africa 46-6 Samoa (Villa Park,4:45pm)

  • SAT 3 OCT: SOUTH AFRICA V SCOTLAND (ST JAMES’ PARK, 4:45PM)

  • Wed 7 OCT: South Africa v USA (Olympic Stadium, 4:45pm)

KEY DATES

  • Sun 27 Sept: Arrival in Gateshead

  • Mon 28 Sept: Media conference / open training

  • Tue 29 Sept: Media conference / open training

  • Wed 30 Sept: Team announcement

  • Fri 2 Oct: Official team photograph / captain's media conference