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SOUTH AFRICA
Seemingly doomed to forever languish in the shadow of the mighty Springbok rugby union side, the South African Rhinos enter the tournament looking to improve on their World Cup debut in 1995.
Back then they lost all three matches – but in fairness to the Rhinos two of those games came against Australia and England.
This time around South Africa have a slightlier easier group –Tonga, France and Papua New Guinea complete group three – and they will fancy their chances of being competitive in all three contests.
Coach Paul Matete has been able to draw on the vastly experienced former St Helens boss, the Kiwi Mike McClennan, to help with preparations and his experience should prove invaluable to the Rhinos cause.
As far as the squad goes, most of the players play their rugby in South Africa's fledging domestic competition, although there are a sprinkling of players with top-flight experience in England and Australia, including Salford winger Mark Johnson and Canberra Raiders forward Sean Rutgerson.
Perhaps most interestingly, four of the squad come from the country's premier union competition, the Currie Cup.
Skippered by Halifax Blue Sox star Jamie Bloem, the Rhinos kick-off against Tonga in Paris knowing a good start is vital if they are to maintain any realistic hope of progressing to the next stage.
A quarter-final berth is likely to prove beyond them in what is still a tough group – but expect the Rhinos to charge their way through the tournament in a much more competitive fashion than five years ago.