In the last part of our look at next month's rugby classic we focus on last year's two finalists, the All Blacks, and eventual winners South Africa.

South Africa begin their defence of the title with a tough opening encounter against France on Sunday November 9.

Having stunned the All Blacks in last year's final, they will be looking to get off to a strong start against a French side that has the likes of Christian Califano and Jean-Luc Sadourny amongst their number.

The South Africans have several famous faces of their own including former Springboks skipper Bobby Skinstad and the former vice-captain and Bath player Robbie Fleck.

Skinstad played 42 times for his country at flanker and No8 making his debut against England in 1997, and was a regular in the side until the end of the 2002 season. He moved to the UK in 2004 and played for Newport Gwent Dragons and then Richmond.

A regular with the Barbarians he returned to the South Africa side to play eight games in 2007, and eventually bowed out following the victory over Argentina in the 2007 World Cup.

He now runs his own sports management company and occasionally works as an analyst and presenter for Sky Sports.

Fleck will be remembered as one of the most committed players ever to wear the Springboks jersey.

A centre with blistering pace, Fleck played 31 times for his country, scoring 10 tries in the process. He won his first cap against Italy in 1999, after first playing for the emerging Springboks a year earlier in their memorable 31-15 win over Wales.

Part of the 1999 World Cup side, Fleck was made vice captain in 2001, and played his final game for South Africa against England the following year before moving to Bath in 2003.

Meanwhile the All Blacks have a slightly easier opening in their bid to go one better this year, with a game against America on Monday November 10.

As with any All Blacks' side their host of household names are set to grace the Island, with the likes of Frank Bunce, Ross Nesdale, and Fijian Alfred Uluinayau in their squad.

A late bloomer, Bunce didn't win his first cap until the age of 30 in 1991, but was then capped 69 times, playing 55 Test matches, until his last game against England in 1997.

He actually made his international debut for Western Samoa in the 1991 World Cup, but his performance was good enough to convince then All Blacks coach Laurie Mains to pick him in 1992.

Bunce scored 96 points for the All Blacks, and was a regular feature in the side missing just one game in the years between his first and last appearance.

A tremendous tackler, he had a reputation as a strong runner, whose offload in the tackle allowed the backs around him to cut through defences.

South Africa squad: Forwards: Adrian Garvey (prop, 15 caps), Dale Stanton (hooker, 10), Jannie Brooks (hooker), John Slade (lock), Johan Kapp (lock), Johan Ackerman (lock, 13), Barry Pinnock (lock), Werner Kronje (lock), Mark Wood (flanker, 2), Craig McIntosh (flanker), Pieter Joubert (flanker), Bobby Skinstad (flanker/No8, 42), Anton Leonard (No8).

Backs: Bennie Nortje (scrumhalf), David van Hoeslin (scrumhalf, 1), Braam van Straaten (fly half, 21), Greg Muller (fly half), Robbie Fleck (centre, 31), Deon Keyser (centre, 13), Tinus Linee (centre, 9), Breyton Pulse (wing, 64), Jan Harm van

All Blacks squad: Forwards: Paul Thompson (prop, Maoris), Hayden Scown (prop), Slade McFarland (prop, Maoris), Ross Nesdale (hooker, 13), Lio Falaniko (lock, (22 caps with Samoa)), Charles Riechelmann (lock, 6), Adam Parker (lock, Maoris (18 caps with Japan)), Dustin Watts (flanker, NZ u-21s), Kupu Vanisi (flanker, 2), Mutu Ngarimu (No8, Maoris (10 with Japan)), Deon Muir (No8, Maoris).

Backs: Jason Hewitt (scrumhalf, 1), Rhys Duggan (scrumhalf, 1), Richard Kinnear (fly half), Jeremy Stanley (centre, 2), Frank Bunce (centre, 55), Romi Ropati (centre, (1 cap Samoa)), Marcus SeuSeu (centre), Philippe Rayasi (wing, Fiji & NZ 7s), Damian Karauma (wing, NZ 7s), Alex Talea (wing), Alfred Uluinayau (full back, (30 with Fiji), Glen Osborne (full back, NZ u-21s), Luke Otley. Manager: Andy Haden (41 caps).

All Blacks squad: Forwards: Paul Thompson (prop, Maoris), Hayden Scown (prop), Slade McFarland (prop, Maoris), Ross Nesdale (hooker, 13), Lio Falaniko (lock, (22 caps with Samoa)), Charles Riechelmann (lock, 6), Adam Parker (lock, Maoris (18 caps with Japan)), Dustin Watts (flanker, NZ u-21s), Kupu Vanisi (flanker, 2), Mutu Ngarimu (No8, Maoris (10 with Japan)), Deon Muir (No8, Maoris). Backs: Jason Hewitt (scrumhalf, 1), Rhys Duggan (scrumhalf, 1), Richard Kinnear (fly half), Jeremy Stanley (centre, 2), Frank Bunce (centre, 55), Romi Ropati (centre, (1 cap Samoa)), Marcus SeuSeu (centre), Philippe Rayasi (wing, Fiji & NZ 7s), Damian Karauma (wing, NZ 7s), Alex Talea (wing), Alfred Uluinayau (full back, (30 with Fiji), Glen Osborne (full back, NZ u-21s), Luke Otley. Manager: Andy Haden (41 caps).