Fresh talent bolsters Springboks

THE Tri Nations gets under way tomorrow with Australia and New Zealand both knowing they have ground to make up on South Africa.

The Springboks were comfortable winners of last year's tournament, enjoying an unprecedented 3-0 whitewash of the All Blacks and suffering just one defeat against Australia

They have started their 2010 season in a similar vein of form. Victories over Wales and Italy (twice) and a ruthless demolition of RBS Six Nations champions France mean Peter de Villiers' side will start as favourites to defend their crown.

The Springboks, who were also Test series victors over the British and Irish Lions last year, now appear to be in an even stronger proposition than 12 months ago.

Their strength in depth has increased with the unearthing of the likes of flankers Dewald Potgieter and Francois Louw, centre Juan de Jongh and wing Gio Aplon.

Their accuracy in the fundamental basics of the game is a step ahead of their competitors. Their line-out is the best in the world, their work at the breakdown is ferocious and their kick and chase game is the best on the planet by some distance.

They may be without scrum-half Fourie du Preez due to a shoulder injury, but Ricky Januarie has proved an able deputy and in Morne Steyn they have a fly-half who can keep the scoreboard ticking over.

The All Blacks have unearthed several promising talents of their own this season, including full-back Israel Dagg, lock Sam Whitelock and fly-half Aaron Cruden, although coach Graham Henry has gone with his experienced heads for tomorrow's opener against South Africa.

They also have the undoubted class of Dan Carter and skipper Richie McCaw to call upon.

They eased to victories over Ireland and Wales at home as they showed how lethal they can be when they secure quick front-foot ball.

But questions remain over their scrum, the Franks brothers, Owen and Ben, do not appear to be the answer in that area, and South Africa are unlikely to be as accommodating as 14-man Ireland and Wales proved to be.

Their line-out has also been poor over the last 18 months, and that is a major problem given that Australia and South Africa in particular are very strong in that area.

During their defeats in the 2009 series the All Blacks also struggled woefully with the Boks' kicking game and physicality, and without their forwards giving them a platform they may find it tough going against their traditional rivals.

Injuries have given Australia coach Robbie Deans plenty to think about, particularly those to props Ben Alexander and Benn Robinson.

He was forced to field the most inexperienced Wallaby front row for 27 years in the Tests against England and it proved costly as the hosts' scrum was demolished with embarrassing ease in Perth and also struggled in Sydney.

That second Test loss in Sydney will have undermined confidence but they also showcased some wonderfully incisive back play during the series with the likes of James O'Connor, Quade Cooper and Matt Giteau running beautiful first-phase moves that Deans has brought from his spell at the Crusaders.

Giteau's flaky goal-kicking under pressure is a worry but if their frankly hopeless second-choice front row can stay upright long enough to secure set-piece ball they will be a dangerous side.

Deans' side will have another fortnight to prepare as the series opens with an All Blacks-Springboks double header in first Auckland then Wellington.z