Every year the Rugby Championship throws up a few new stars, or an older hand makes a huge leap in performance. Who are those players likely to be in 2018?
1. APHIWE DYANTYI (WING, SOUTH AFRICA)There is not a better sight in world rugby than Dyantyi in full flight, scorching the turf with his searing speed. The Lions and Bok wing is a supreme athlete with so much pace he could have been a world-class sprinter if his career path had gone a different way.
But raw pace is no good if you don't know how to manage it, and Dyantyi is already a master at acceleration changes and running angles.
Holding back is as useful as igniting the afterburners in certain situations.
Dyantyi also has amazing awareness of space and is able to slither and step his way through holes in a way that has left many defence coaches perplexed.
He seems to bend time and space to his will, creating gaps where, to the naked eye, none existed. The Rugby Championship will be his ultimate test against some of the best wings in the world.2. JORDAN PETAIA (CENTRE, AUSTRALIA)
The 18-year-old is the biggest surprise selection in this year's Rugby Championship, but he is special.
The Reds signed Petaia while he was still in the equivalent of Grade 11 at Brisbane Boys High, recognising his gifts.
The hard-nosed former All Black lock and current Reds coach Brad Thorne didn't hesitate to pick Petaia, who turned 18 only in March.
It was an inspired move, with the teenager using his 100kg frame and deft off-loading game to give the Reds one reason to remember 2018 with fondness.
He is the first Wallaby born in the 21st century and while his chances will be limited in 2018, he is also only an injury to a teammate away from making a huge impact on the tournament.3. SHANNON FRIZELL (FLANK, NEW ZEALAND)
If you had said that Frizell would be an All Black four months ago, you would have earned fewer odd looks had you run on Empire Road naked.
The 24-year-old, 1.95m, 110kg flank is another athletic mind-boggler from Tonga, set to become the latest All Black sensation.
Speed, size and exceptional skills mean that the likes of Akira Ioane and Vaea Fifita have been left out of a formidable squad.
Frizell is a classic blindside flank in terms of size, but his mobility and athleticism could see him used as a No 8 too.
The 2018 Rugby Championship will be very much about learning for the Highlanders man, with Liam Squire ahead in the pecking order.
But he's one injury away from blasting onto the world stage.4. PABLO MATERA (FLANK, ARGENTINA)Matera is hardly a rising star but he is set to take his game to another level after two superb seasons.
The hard-tackling Pumas back rower is the heart of the team. When he goes well, the Pumas have a good day.
In last year's Championship he ranked in the top 10 in four categories - tackles made, ball carries, turnovers won and tackle breaks.
He is the complete modern loose forward and at 25 his best years are ahead.
His ability with the ball and without it are the best in the Championship.
There might be better poachers and ball carriers, but he is the complete package.
If there were a prototype for a loose forward that incorporates the best of No 8, blindside and openside, Matera is it...