JOHANNESBURG - South Africa's rugby coach Nick Mallett believes the Springboks' success this year depends on how well the South African players perform in the Super 12.
He said he would rely heavily on the core of last year's World Cup squad, including midfield back Brendan Venter and No 8 BobSkinstad.
The key would be to find a suitable replacement for the retired Henry Honiball at first five-eighths.
The Springbok coach was adamant, however, that players would have to perform in the Super 12 against teams from New Zealand and Australia.
"I made a big mistake last year by selecting players who had not played Super 12 rugby," Mallett said.
"Experience is obviously a vital component, as was the case with Joost van der Westhuizen last year - he hardly played at all during the season but had an amazing World Cup.
"But for the most part, the Super 12 is where I'll be looking for potential Springboks. The jump from Vodacom Cup or Currie Cup rugby is simply too big.
"The Super 12 is appreciably quicker, a player must think a hell of a lot faster and his mistakes are ruthlessly exposed if he's not up to speed."
The Springboks will play 12 tests this season, starting with an international against Canada at East London on June 10.
Mallett said he faced an "insurmountable problem" in preparing the national team for their first test match of the year, almost immediately after the Super 12 semifinals and final.
"It's going to be very difficult to come together as a team for the first time just two weeks before we play our first test match," Mallett said.
"The players will have been together for at least three months within their regional [Super 12] squads."
England will also tour South Africa, playing tests at Pretoria on June 17 and at Bloemfontein on June 24.
