South African conference preview

Well here we are again. Super Rugby season and about damn time! It’s been far too long between drinks and the umpteen pointless one dayers clogging the calendar have offered little respite. So onward and upwards, here is a preview of the South Africa conference.

By all looks and purposes it’s going to be very very attritional with the top three spots very much up for grabs.

The Cheetahs:

Poor poor Cheetahs, they sit on top of the best rugby nursery in the country, Grey College. But it’s as if they are a feeder side to the other four unions. Short on financial muscle, the Cheetahs still lack a major sponsor for this season and it shows in their playing roster.

That said, they will have the ability to grind away the odd win at home before squad depletion kicks in. Travel away will be tough, very tough on the team and the spectator’s eyes if they roll out that neon orange strip again.

Notable Forwards:

Juan Smith (c) – On his day the best blindside flanker in the world. A neversay die uncompromising player to which a team rallies. Early season injury last year destroyed his side
Heinrich Brussouw – The Bok find of ’09 never made it to ’10. There will be alot of people watching to see if the nugget can adapt his fetching technique to the new interpretations after horrendous injury
Willem Petrus (WP) Nel – A lot of hype from Os du Randt around this kid but the jury is still very much out.

Notable Backs:

Lots of castoffs from other unions.

Naas Olivier – Of ex-Stormers fame, alot will be expected of him with Meyer Bosmans departure to the Sharks. A running half who will need to release the raw pace outside of him.
Robert Eberson – This centre has been marked for great things but I dont think playing for the Cheetahs is going to help develop his game. Surprised he hasnt already been poached by the Sharks.
Jonge Nokwe – Lightning. If he gets the ball…
Philip Burger – A slight fellow with speed and excellent option taking. Scored some brilliant tries for the Cheetahs before a stint in France. The Bloem faithful will be happy to have him back.
Andries Struass – Transfer from the Sharks to add steel to centres. This guy pretty much single handed stopped the WP attack in the ’10 CC final.

Depth:

Gnarled journeymen backed up by callow youth. Last year the lineout coach was drafted in to play lock/flank.

Summary:

Touring schedule is actually fairly linear for a change with Sydney, Brisbane, Auckland, Dunedin in the mix. Mid season bye will also help but lets be honest there wont be a game, bar the Lions at home, where they might scale the heights of being favourites. They have a good set piece pack but will find themselves behind the gain line and out of ideas and out of discipline against teams with solid forwards.

Finish:

Last

The Lions:

The GLRU hasn’t been noted for making intelligent decisions in the past but I think the team with the longest loss streak is in for a turn of fortune. The purchase of a 49% stake in the union by two billionaire backers has added finance and impetus to what was once the most powerful union in the country.

In the off season ,the Lions have opened the cheque books and bought big. Tied to the iron will of John Mitchell, a few teams are going to re-discover that Ellis Park isnt just a grave yard for spectators or the few parked cars outside.

Interestingly enough the last time the Lions/Cats made it to a finals appearance was under another disciplined kiwi – Laurie Mains.

Notable Forwards:

Pat Cilliers – A real powerhouse prop until injury pushed him back down pecking order at the Sharks.
Bandise Maku – Another powerful player looking for a starting spot.
Wikus van Heerden – the old warhorse is back and will given nothing less than 80min each week. Remains to be seen where Mitchell plays him.
Cobus Grobelaar – the man with the most practised losing captains speech in the Republic. He is no longer captain and perhaps this will free him up a bit.

Notable Backs:

Jano Vermaak – Stalwart 9 with a nifty pass and pace.
Doppies la Grange – Solid straight running centre. A younger and perhaps poorer mans Mortlock he wont let his side down.
Lionel Mapoe – Yet another quality wing option. The best back in the CC for ’09 needs to put injury and contractual despute behind him.
Elton Jantjies – The trojan horse that is Earl Rose has departed but alot will rest on the young Elton to resurrect his teams fortunes.
Tonderai Chavanga – Blistering pace and great swerve. Scored some great tries for the Stormers a few years back.
Micheal Killian – Might not end up playing his favoured fullback position but he is a real talent and adds lots of options in the backline with his pace and boot.

Depth:

Perhaps a bit shallow in the tight forwards otherwise well served in the backline with a bounty of game breakers in the outside backs. Flyhalf depth could also be an issue

Summary:

They play the Brumbies, Tahs, Highlanders and Hurricanes away in a bit of a disjointed tour through the last half of the season. They will need to be off to a flyer before this, in order to have the confidence and momentum required. I think this year will be one season too soon for their young squad. They will, however, ruin a few other teams chances along the way.

Finish:

Fourth

The Stormers:

Had their best season in 2010, managing to beat all New Zealand teams along the way to a runners up spot. They play a very abrasive counter attacking game and aren’t afraid to mix it up.

The question is will they be able to go one better this year? They have a well balanced squad with some extra beef up front and out back but are a bit thin for experience if Grant becomes unavailable

Notable Forwards:

Andries Bekker – Forward of the 2010 tournament, like a giraffe on steriods the big fella gets around the park but no longer just a show pony.
Schalk Burger – Captain and leader by example. No longer a perennial yellow card magnet the man is a tackling machine coupled to a surprising link role.
CJ van de Linde – Adds more grunt to the forward pack with this bullocking 127kg frame.
Duanne Vermuelen – A man I thought was very unlucky to not get a shot a Bok colours last season. A multi talented 8 with deft hands who doesnt forget his duties at the ruck.
Tiann Liebenberg – Bullocking hooker.
Anton van Zyl – Engine room grafter.
Francois Louw – Most steals for any player in 2010.

Notable Backs:

Jacque Fourie – Defensive organiser to the the most stingy team in the comp.
Juan de Jongh – A step and swerve away from the usual hard running SA centre. Will be the foil to the sabre that is Fourie/De Villiers.
Bryan Habana – Still trying too hard in Bok colours and the intercept run is predictable and overrated, but still full of class.
Conrad Jantjes – The ex Bok fullback will need to step up to fill Joe Pietersons diminutive place.
Gio Aplon – All heart, all pace and very difficult to tackle.

Depth:

There is uncertaintity at Flyhalf after Peter Grant although there are options in Cronje and Aswagen. Duvenhage is a great zippy scrumhalf but backup in Ricky ‘KFC’ Januarie and the forgotten Conradie is a bit worrying. Otherwise, the team from the Cape is busting at the seams

Summary:

The key this year will be dominating the local conferences and collecting points away. The Stormers I feel can do the latter but I predict the local conference will be hotly contested and the Stormers probably missing out to another coastal outfit.

They should garner points on the road though with a fairly kind tour (if there is such a thing) Chiefs, Blues, Brumbies and Rebels.

Finish:

Third

The Bulls:

Last years champions and latest super rugby dynasty. The Bulls play a rugged smothering gameplan underpinned with very astute tactical kicking. Its not complex but has turned out to be very very effective. Especially in the rarefied air of the highveld fortress that is Loftus.

The pack is pretty much the usual suspects of hardened veterans backed up with a very handy loose trio in Stegmann, Spies and Potgieter. They are a little weak in the midfield I feel with Olivier and Dippenaar/Watermeyer. Back three outside of van de Heever arent exactly electric either

Notable Forwards:

Victor Matfield – Doesnt hurt to have the worlds best lineout technician when you have some of the best tactical kickers.
Guthro Steenkamp – Had a career best season last year. Rampaging in the loose and adding value in the tight.
Gary Botha – Tough nut and very mobile.
Bakkies – No comment.
Flip van Merwe – Bakkies v2.0.
Juandre Kruger – Brought back to the Bulls from Northampton with a lot of expectation.
Pierre Spies – He may still be more miss than hit at the international level but revels in Super rugby. Spies is due a big season this year and I expect he will deliver.

Notable Backs:

Fourie du Preez – The king is back from injury. All hail the king. Providing he returns to form Fourie has the potential to ignite the Bulls and see them to another grand final.
Morne Steyn – The metronomic machine thrives in the Bulls game plan and will play better with Fourie shouldering the playmaking duties.
Zane Kirchner – Sideshow Bob is solid at the back allied with strong running.
Van de Heever – Sure he has pace but does he have the X-factor?

Depth:
Does the forward production line stop? Plenty of frontline grunt but either to old or too young in the backup backs. The important thing is the coach has been astute enough to recognise this and build accordingly

Summary:

Fortress Loftus. It may be a dynasty but the emperor/s are aging. I expect them to still win their home games and this will see them through to the finals but unless the new blou bloeds stepup to take the load off the incumbents then the Bulls could struggle through a tough tour to the Canes, Saders, Reds and Force.

They will need every point they can get for that all important home advantage but I feel they will miss out.

Finish:

Second

The Sharks:

The bridesmaid team from Durban are turning into a force to be reckoned with. They have under John Plumtree re-invented themselves and are now playing a very similar game to the All Blacks without perhaps the Kiwi handling polish but more South African physicality. They have a very strong pack, great back row options with alot of impact and powerful running backs.

Notable Forwards:

Beast – South Africas premier loosehead. Expect the rumbling of ‘Beeeeeast’ a lot this season as he takes the ball up.
Bismark du Plessis – A world class hooker, powerful in the setpiece and incredibly physical in the tight. My only bugbear with him is that he is often too upright when going into contact.
John Smit – Where is the captain going to play? According to reports he has dropped the prop weight. So I would expect back at hooker with Bissie subbed on.
Jacque Botes – Unsung hero of the sharks backrow, quick around the park and a menace at the breakdown.
Kankowski – Like Spies better value in the super rugby arena. Expect line breaks and tries from the athletic 8.
Willem Alberts – A human bulldozer. This bloke doesnt go around people he goes through them.
Jean Deyzel – Another battering ram of flanker. Tacklers bounce off this bloke.
Ross Skeate – A giant of a lock who will with Steve Sykes need to keep the Shark engine moving.

Notable Backs:

Patrick Lambie – Star of the class for 2010 resulting in a Bok call up. Not afraid to take it to the line or give the ball some air. With Elton Jantjes the great flyhalf hope for the Bok future.
Stephan Terblanche – Evergreen, the Sharks and ex-Boks veteran is still delivering the goods. Solid and very dependable.
Meyer Bosman – Yet another superb purchase from Bloem by the Sharks. Bosman will offer a very NZ 2nd 5 option in the midfield along Lambie.
Lwazi Mvovo – Big, fast, powerful. There is alot to like about Mvovo and if the Sharks midfield can get the ball moving expect him to score tries.
JP Pieterson – Needs to bring his A game back to the table in World cup year. With deceptive pace and size could this like ’07 when he ended up as the highest try scorer.
Louis Ludik – Imported from the Lions last season injury hasnt afforded us a chance to see what he can do for a team that affords him opportunity. He was incredible for a miserable Lions outfit.

Depth:

Lock, scrumhalf. These are the positions they have been weakened with departures of Johan Muller and Ruan Pienaar. Early season injures are already testing them here. The squad has a large number of utility backs and there are plenty of options in the rest of the forwards.

Summary:

Unless a major injury crisis kicks in then I cant see the Sharks dropping early games like last season. Domestically, they are very strong and have the wood over the other leading candidates the Stormers and to a lesser degree the Bulls. They also tour well, but will need results from their early season jaunt to the Force, Rebels, Chiefs and Crusaders.

Finish:

First