THE YOUNG GUN
RYAN SANDES - Trail Runner

This ultra-marathon runner is taking strides across the world, winning big (and very, very long) races across every continent. How big? How long? Try this year's seven-day, 250km Atacama Crossing, where he won all six stages. Or try Brazil's 222km Jungle Marathon, which he won in a course record time. But, as impressive as his results are, what sets 28-year-old Sandes apart as a Best Men nominee is the fact that he competes in these events with little or no sponsorship, for little or no prize money, entirely for the joy of running.

GEORGE AVAKIAN - Beatboxer

'Georgeous' uhn-tissed his way into South Africa's living rooms with his snap-crackle-popping appearance on SA's Got Talent, and since then his beatboxing act has been the toast of the corporate party circuit. We like that he's perfected the art of five sounds coming from one human's mouth. We like even more that he's now taking his skills to the townships to help uplift our nation's youth.

ADRIAAN PIENAAR - Blogging entrepreneur

This self-styled "creator of awesomeness" made his name (which he's subsequently changed to the far catchier "Adii Rockstar") by designing and selling themes for the Wordpress blogging engine. When he's not running his online startup WooThemes, this 25-year-old is working as a designer and developer leading the charge of young South African social media mavens.