How to woo a bachelor - what men look for in a woman

Intelligence, a love of sports - and good teeth.

That is what some of SA's most eligible bachelors are looking for in a woman.

Which is a good thing to know for the thousands of women who have flocked to sign up for the country's latest romantic reality-TV show, The Bachelor.

The show, which has been running for 16 years and is its 22nd season in the US, will begin airing on Valentine's Day next year. It involves one hunky bachelor and 25 single women looking for love. Each week the bachelor eliminates one of the women, eventually ending up with his true love.

Just who the bachelor will be in the South African production had not yet been decided.

The Sunday Times asked some high-profile bachelors what they looked for in a long-term partner.

Comedian and TV presenter Siv Ngesi said there was nothing more unattractive than a "stupid" woman. To impress the 32-year-old, a woman needs to know her Bach from her Beethoven because he is "obsessed" with classical music.

Describing his relationship status as "interesting", Ngesi, who knows his way around a kitchen, said anyone who dated him should be prepared for a memorable experience.

"I'm a Xhosa man, we are charming. I have my Xhosa-men bad habits . The thing is that it's not about the destination but about the journey; we might never get there but you'll enjoy the experience," he said.

Singer and actor Nicholas Nkuna has a romantic streak - if he was the bachelor, he would make sure one of his dates was on a rooftop.

"There's a connection that the 360° view of Joburg life and the night lights create. It just puts you in the mood."

Nkuna has been single for two years and said he was finally "ready to mingle". He calls himself a difficult person who is drawn to intelligent women.

The first date is everything for him; that's when he decides if he's in it for the long haul.

Nkuna has no culinary aspirations so anyone going to eat at his home should expect grilled chicken, salad and boiled eggs.

TV presenter Lunga Shabalala, 29, said he was also a stranger to the kitchen but a "big believer in love".

His ideal woman would be someone who was driven and nurturing and valued family. On a date with Shabalala expect a simple dinner at a jazz bar, and do your homework on Arsène Wenger.

"I'm a huge Arsenal fan, so if you can drop something amazing about Arsenal, you'll have my heart," he said.

Celebrity dentist and musician Alexander Rawháni, known as Lexleo, wants a woman who is "weird" but has figured out how to make the world a better place.

As a dentist, it is understandable that his ideal woman is someone who flosses regularly.

The ultimate test for his date would be at dinner.

The 31-year-old said he'd let his date choose his meal.

"If I like the meal then 10 points to her, and if not, I would politely eat it and then get Andiccio's on the way home," he said.

M-Net head of publicity Lani Lombard said there had been a huge response to its call for single women to take part in The Bachelor SA.

"Within hours of announcing the show, the entries to become one of the 25 prospected love interests started streaming in," she said.

"Within the first day we had more than 300 entries, which is remarkable. We are now sitting with thousands of entries and they're still streaming in."