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Graeme Smith (01/02/81)
Smith became South Africa's youngest ever captain aged 22, when he was handed the leadership following the 2003 World Cup. His appointment was met with controversy, but the bold left-handed opener brushed off his critics with a fine start to his tenure. However, his recent slump in form coupled with the fall of South African cricket has again brought out the doubters. He will be looking to redeem himself with a good showing at the World Cup.

Jacques Kallis (16/10/75)
One of the best all-rounders in the history of the game, Kallis can always be counted on with both bat and ball. The classy right-hander has over 8000 runs in both forms of the game, and with more than 200 wickets with his medium-pacers in either format, is key to success.

Loots Bosman (14/04/77)
The right-handed opening batsman only made his breakthrough into the national set-up in 2006. His hard-hitting style, coupled with the Proteas opening woes, makes him a useful weapon.

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Mark Boucher (wkt, 03/12/76)
The quickest wicket-keeper to take 100, 150 and 200 ODI catches. A brilliant gloveman, whose batting ability makes him one of the best in the game.

Herschelle Gibbs (23/02/74)
If awards were given for flamboyance, Gibbs would be a world champion. The right-handed opener-cum-number four can play every shot in the book, and his 111-ball 175 in the world-record 435-run chase against Australia in March 2006 sums him up. Also brilliant in the field.

Andrew Hall (31/07/75)
The spirited all-rounder is a bits-and-pieces player, who bats right-handed and also bowls a decent medium pace. Played indoor cricket for South Africa before breaking into the first-class game. Is another unlucky player, with the selectors due to the abundance of all-rounders.

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Justin Kemp (02/10/77)
The natural successor to Lance Klusener, Kemp is a destructive right-handed batsman, who also chips in with useful medium-pacers. His astounding hitting ability makes him another capable match-winner in the line-up.

Charl Langeveldt (17/12/74)
Former prison warder Langeveldt will be remembered by English cricket fans for his five for 46 against the tourists at Newlands in 2004-05. A right-arm pace bowler, he can swing the ball away from the right-handers - but like Telemachus, his record suggests he is unlikely to make many runs down the order.

Andre Nel (15/07/77)
A ferocious fast bowler, Nel is a real in-your-face player whose over-exuberance often lands him in trouble. However, his arrogance is also a plus factor which brings him wickets and lifts the team.

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Makhaya Ntini (06/07/77)
A product of Cricket South Africa’s development programme, the first black player to represent his country has developed into one of the fiercest in the game. He models his game on the late Malcolm Marshall and is the team's strike bowler.

Robin Peterson (04/08/79)
Slow left-armer Peterson is also a handy batsman in the low middle order. His name may not be at the top of the list of those likely to immediately set pulses racing in the Caribbean - but on surfaces where spinners can be expected to come to the fore, he could be a handy contributor for the Proteas.

Ashwell Prince (28/05/77)
The unsung hero of the team, who continues to enhance his international reputation. His determination and grit give the middle order a solid look, with his fielding also an outstanding trait. The left-hander became South Africa's first black captain against Sri Lanka in July 2006 during the absence of the injured Smith.

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Shaun Pollock (16/07/73)
The second world-class all-rounder in the Proteas' ranks, former captain Pollock could be one of Smith's trump cards at the World Cup. He has the ability to both restrict runs and take wickets. He is also a more than capable right-handed batsman.

Roger Telemachus (27/03/73)
Something of a surprise inclusion in the final 15, pace bowler Telemachus’ international career has struggled for momentum - thanks largely to untimely injuries. With the bat, he is a genuine number 11.

AB de Villiers (17/02/84)
Fairly new to the national set-up, de Villiers is the future of South African cricket. The right-handed batsman is also an accomplished wicket-keeper and opening batsman, but his versatility allows him to bat anywhere. Another member of the Proteas strong fielding contingent.