A scrum-half for the Bulls and South Africa, Fourie du Preez is arguably the greatest player in his position on the planet and he has already won a World Cup, the Super 14, the Currie Cup and a series against the British & Irish Lions.

He made his provincial debut for the Blue Bulls as a teenager and his first international start came three years later in 2004 against Ireland in Bloemfontein.

After two years in a Springbok jersey he was voted South African Player of the Year in 2006 and he was nominated for the IRB Player of the Year as well. In 2007 Du Preez won the World Cup with the Springboks when he started six of the World Cup matches, including the victory over England in the final in Paris.

Two years later he added a winning Lions series medal to his collection when he started all three Tests as the Springboks won the series 2-1.

At Super 14 level du Preez helped the Bulls to titles in 2007 and 2009, the only times a South African side has lifted the trophy.

However, Du Preez was forced to sit out the 2011 Super Rugby season through injury. Despite a lack of match action - Du Preez was thrust back into the Boks' side for the 2011 Tri-Nations. While Du Preez will play his club rugby in Japan next season, he will first go to the World Cup with the Boks hoping to prove that he is still one of the world's outstanding scrum-halves.