Johannesburg — SPRINGBOK coach Peter de Villiers yesterday reiterated his stance that there would be a level playing field for all players to play their way into the national squad, on his visit to the Bulls as part of a nationwide tour to the five Super 14 franchises.

De Villiers visited the Sharks on Monday and he was expected to make an appearance at Ellis Park today to talk to the Lions players and management.

Visits to the Cheetahs and Stormers will take place on Monday and Tuesday respectively.

The purpose of the tour is to address the players regarding national team selection and to build good relationships with the Super 14 coaches, since he may need certain players to be rested or managed carefully towards the end of the competition to keep them fresh for the international season starting in June.

"He (De Villiers) wished the players luck for the Super 14 and he informed them that no players would be guaranteed places in the Springbok squad," said Bulls coach Frans Ludeke.

Asked if De Villiers discussed the possibility of managing certain players carefully during the Super 14, Ludeke said: "He mentioned that he might want to talk about that at a later stage.

"The Springboks play their first Test a week after the Super 14 final, so I understand Peter's battle. It is important that we, as coaches, understand one other and assist where possible. In this job you cannot stand alone."

Bulls skipper and Springbok scrumhalf Fourie du Preez said De Villiers's comments encouraged the players tremendously going into the series, especially those who were excluded from former Bok coach Jake White's choice group of players.

"Peter said that the playing field was level for Springbok selection and that the players had nothing to worry about if they were the best in their respective positions," said Du Preez.

"So the chances are greater this season for players who have not been given opportunities over the past four years at national level to stake their claim for places. All they have to do is prove that they are the best in their positions."

Some could argue, however, that the 15 best players do not necessarily make the best 15 -- something White believed firmly.

However, by giving all players hope of earning places in the squad based on their performances in the Super 14, De Villiers has made matters much simpler for himself as he attempts to build his dream team.

Fortunately for the national coach, he has worked with several Springbok players and upcoming stars at SA junior level and he will have a good idea of what they have to offer when deciding which players to select.

De Villiers is set to travel to France, England and Wales on a 10-day tour from February 8 -19 to build relations with the European clubs where several national players have opted to pursue their careers. He is visiting Wales to study the nation's style of play ahead of their two-Test series in June.

Meanwhile, Golden Lions Rugby Union president Jannie Ferreira, who is the chairman of the committee responsible for appointing the Springbok assistant coaches, met SA Rugby MD Jonathan Stones in Johannesburg last night to decide what process to follow in appointing De Villiers's assistants.

Ferreira said last week the only outstanding matter in the process was to decide whether to advertise the assistant coaching positions or to invite specific candidates to apply.

But his main concern about advertising the positions was that it could be time consuming, especially since they hoped to appoint the coaches by the end of next month .

"Jonathan and I will discuss the process and once we have a decision, we will circulate it to committee members to see if they are satisfied with the process," said Ferreira.