KEY POINTS:
A full-strength Springboks squad has left South Africa seeking three wins out of three in Wales, Scotland and England _ but with what seems risky selections at first five-eighths and the front row.
Coach Peter de Villiers won just two of the Boks' six Tri Nations matches this year but, just a few months away from the Lions' visit to South Africa next season, he is seeking an early psychological blow.
The Boks lost four of their six tests, but did record a first win against New Zealand in Dunedin and then finished the competition with a record 53-8 victory over Australia in Johannesburg.
While De Villiers has left out his Europe-based Boks, among them first five-eighth Butch James and tighthead prop CJ van der Linde, he's recalled World Cup stars Bakkies Botha and Jaque Fourie, who missed most of the Tri Nations because of injury.
John Smit returns as captain after picking up a groin injury in Wellington in July _ but as a tighthead prop.
De Villiers appears to have a squad capable of getting the better of Wales, Scotland and England, but he has gambled somewhat by opting to tour with two inexperienced first five-eighths and a lack of depth at tighthead prop.
Star halfback Ruan Pienaar is De Villiers' first-choice pivot, with the uncapped Earl Rose his back-up. Rose has long been touted as a future Springbok first five-eighth but had a rather indifferent year in the Currie Cup.
His unpredictable nature makes him one of the most dangerous attacking players to emerge on the national scene in some time. It is for this reason, de Villiers selected the 24-year-old for the upcoming tour.
"Earl's form may have dipped at times [this season] but he has the X' factor you look for in a first five-eighths and he has time to develop," said De Villiers. Counting against him is his small frame and penchant to shy away from contact.
In the front row, Smit has been shifted from hooker to tighthead with the relatively inexperienced Brian Mujati the only other recognised scrum anchor.
The world champions will especially be tested by Wales at the Millennium Stadium and England at Twickenham. The tour will also serve as a stern test of De Villiers' credentials.
He has punted an expansive style, but was largely unsuccessful during the Tri Nations.
