There has been plenty of talk about overseas-based players not being eligible for the Sanzar teams, and with that in mind, we set about to scour the European Leagues for the best of Southern Hemisphere talent.

Graham Henry has recently lamented the loss of so many of his All Black stars to Europe, and he is banking on the fact that some of them will follow Chris Jack's lead and return to New Zealand in time for the 2011 World Cup.

South Africa has been less disrupted up till now but with the departure of Frans Steyn and Jean de Villiers, and rumours of others to follow, the Springboks may yet feel the affects of the financial lure of the European Leagues.

There have been many Tri-Nations teams picked in the media recently, but how would this overseas-based Sanzar XV fare?

15 Frans Steyn: (South Africa, Racing)
The France-bound 'rocket launcher' leaves South African shores with a reputation at its highest point since his international debut in 2006. THAT kick in the last game he played for the Boks has left an indelible image in Springbok fan's minds of his immense talent. He leaves a prodigiously gifted player, and we eagerly await the return of the finished article in a few year's time.

14 Doug Howlett: (New Zealand, Munster)
The all time leading All Black try scorer moved to Irish giants Munster at the beginning of 2008. He was devastatingly quick at his peak, and while he may have lost a few yards since, he remains one of the classiest wings around. New Zealand would certainly have dealt a bit better under the high ball in this year's 3N with him in their back three.

13 Marius Joubert: (South Africa, Clermont Auvergne)
The former Stormers centre was at the heart of South Africa's Tri-Nations triumph in 2004. He scored a hat-trick of tries in the Boks' home win against the All Blacks at Ellis Park that year and his midfield combination with De Wet Barry was one of the most feared in world rugby. Injuries curtailed his Springbok career, but he has found success with a Clermont side that continue to scale the heights of French rugby.

12 Jean de Villiers: (South Africa, Munster)
The king of the intercept was back to his best in the Springboks recent 3N triumph. Arguably (but probably) the world's best centre, much will be expected of him at his new home in Ireland. He was desperately unlucky to get injured for the previous two World Cups, but don't be too surprised if he finally gets his chance on the biggest stage of them all in two year's time.

11 Rico Gear: (New Zealand, Worcester Warriors)
The speed merchant was one of the most feared finishers in the Super 14 until he left for the Premiership in 2007. He made an electric start to his Warriors career with four tries in his full debut but has struggled with injuries since. His strike power out wide is still a threat to any opposition defence.

10 Butch James: (South Africa, Bath)
James has always had his detractors but the physical presence that the former Shark brings to the flyhalf channel is unrivalled. He had an up-and-down career in South Africa, but he came good for the Springboks when it counted most - at the 2007 World Cup. His Bok career may be over but fitness permitting, he'll still give a few opposing No.10's sleepless night up North.

9 Justin Marshall: (New Zealand, Saracens)
The All Black legend may be getting on in age but with New Zealand's current scrumhalf crisis, Henry would be lying if he said he wouldn't be interested in the veteran's services. Up against George Gregan, Marshall formed half of arguably the best one-on-one rivalry the game has ever seen. He may be behind Neil de Kock in the Saracens pecking order now but, for sheer quality, he's our pick by some distance.

8 Joe van Niekerk: (South Africa, Toulon)
The Toulon skipper was voted the Springbok Player of the Year in 2002, but like Bobby Skinstad before him, 'Big Joe' never really lived up to his billing as a future world superstar. In his prime though he was one of the most skilled and explosive loose forwards in the world game.

7 Jerry Collins: (New Zealand, Ospreys)
Part of the All Blacks problem in this year's Tri-Nations was their inability to stand up to the physical onslaught. If there was one man that Graham Henry would have loved to call on in that regard, it would've have been Collins. His blockbusting approach was the perfect foil for Richie McCaw's breakdown ability and the national skipper would like to have his old mate back in an All Black jersey sooner rather than later.

6 Marty Holah: (New Zealand, Ospreys)
The former Chiefs openside must curse his luck for playing in the 'McCaw era'. His skill at the breakdown earned him a handful of All Black caps, but most of them were off the bench and he was never going to displace the world's best openside. The Ospreys came calling and he answered, but he wouldn't look out of place in any top international side.

5 Dan Vickerman: (Australia, Cambridge University)
The only Australian in the starting line-up, and he grew up in South Africa! Vickerman would still be a regular in the Wallaby team had he not opted for education over professional rugby. Probably the smartest choice on our list.

4 Greg Rawlinson: (New Zealand, Worcester Warriors)
Born in South Africa, a New Zealand international and now plying his trade in the Premiership, Rawlinson got a late start to his international career and is the 'enforcer' of this side. The All Blacks could've have done with someone of his talents recently.

3 Carl Hayman: (New Zealand, Newcastle Falcons)
Hayman left the Southern Hemisphere as the world's best tighthead in 2007, and by all accounts very little has changed. Renowned for his scrummaging, the man reported to be the highest paid player in the Premiership would surely love a chance to have a crack at the inexperienced looseheads of South Africa and Australia.

2 Gary Botha: (South Africa, Harlequins)
One of the most reliable hookers around, the former Bull was known for doing ordinary things extraordinarily well. So solid at the set-piece, but lacked the aura of John Smit and the destructive ability of Bismarck du Plessis. Would be perfect as the number two to South Africa's No. 2 but one can hardly blame him for seeking greener pastures.

1 CJ van der Linde: (South Africa, Leinster)
Okay, so we know CJ is primarily a tighthead, but one of the best assets of the former Cheetah is his versatility in the front-row. A strong scrummager and remarkably agile for a man of his size, Van der Linde remains one of South Africa?s best props since isolation.

Replacements: 16 Anton Oliver (NZ, Oxford), 17 BJ Botha (SA, Ulster), 18 Marco Wentzel (SA, Leeds), 19 Wikus van Heerden (SA, Saracens), 20 Neil de Kock (SA, Saracens), 21 Aaron Mauger (NZ, Leicester), 22 Chris Latham (Aus, Warriors)

Coach: Warren Gatland (New Zealand, Wales)
Assistant: Tana Umaga (New Zealand, Toulon)