i just went through a similar process, and personally liked the Specialized Stumpjumper comp, great components bar the tyres, beautiful looking bike, I lreally like the brand and have been really happy with my 2007 stumpy, and you can pick up a brand new one from Dunkeld Cycles for around R24k. If he was going to ride it harder there is also the Specialized enduro, but they will be able to give him better advice than me.
