There are some stacked heats heading into Round One of the Billabong Pro at Jeffreys Bay, which will get underway Thursday with the arrival of a solid 8-foot swell that's already steaming right for the point at Supers. With the whole country still buzzing from the month-long World Cup rager, two of South Africa's native sons, Sean Holmes and Jordy Smith, are hoping to keep the party going in the pumping surf.

While we wouldn't doubt anyone's motivation, Thursday will be one of those occasions where surfers actually win by losing, because on Friday, when Round Two of the losers round starts, the waves should be pumping just as hard, and there's something to be said for having another 30 minutes of perfect J-Bay to yourself.

Given the forecast, don't be surprised to see a few guys coast in their first round heats. Especially Kelly Slater, who's got a nice comfy ratings lead. But to be clear, even if Slater tries his hardest his biggest challenge might actually come in Round One.

First of all, he's already drawn Damien Hobgood. Hobgood's got a long track record of J-bay success. He's made the final there a couple times, including last year, and is always dangerous when the waves are solid. If you're going to pick a backhander, you'd be hard pressed to do any better than him.

But the big question heading into Round One will be where South African giant killer Sean Holmes gets slotted. Holmes will join one of the following three combos: Kelly Slater and Damien Hobgood in heat 8, Taj Burrow and Keiren Perrow in heat 9, or Mick Fanning and Roy Powers in heat 10.

Holmes grew up two hours south of Jeffreys Bay in a place called Wilderness, which is as beautiful as it sounds. It's also one of the most consistent (and sharkiest) wave zones on the entire planet. Holmes was a part of a lost generation of South African stars who disappeared in the 1990s due to the South African economy.

Then, not unlike now, South African surfers who wanted pro careers had to leave home and move to more marketable venues like the U.S. and Australia. But Holmes, to his credit, didn't want to flee his homeland. With his country starting anew in the 1990s Holmes told me then, "If everyone leaves, who'll be here to help rebuild the new South Africa?"

It's that attitude and pride in his new country that makes Holmes a huge hometown favorite each year. And the fact that he absolutely rips J-Bay doesn't hurt either. He's been the single biggest obstacle in this event year after year, and with the surf due to pump, we don't see that changing.

Of course, with Jordy Smith hitting his stride (he just won the 5-Star Mr. Price Pro) heading into J-Bay he'll be one to watch as well. Jordy is sitting in a distant second place behind Slater right now in the World Title race. But he and South Africa are still riding high after an emotional World Cup united the country.

Smith and Holmes will do their best to keep the party going.

All photos courtesy ASP/ Kirstin & Cestari.