Super Rugby South Africa Preview

Super Rugby Preview 2011


Sharks (Still just the Sharks)

The Sharks have been close to the grand prize in the past few seasons but a slow start in the 2010 Super 14 cost them towards the end of that tournament. After losing their first 5 games on the trot they launched a comeback but in the end it was to little to late. The team possesses a number of up and coming stars such as Pat Lambie, Lwazi Mvovo and Willem Alberts. The usual customers are back including Bismark 'The greatest name in world rugby' Du Plessis, The Beast, John Smit, Jean Deysel, JP Peterson, Jannie Du Plessis etc. The Sharks have also gained the services of Andre Pretorius, Jacques Louis Potgieter, Meyer Bosman, and Ross Skeate.

The Sharks have the depth to sustain their effort in the expanded Super 15 format and will be strong contenders for the play off's.

Lions (No longer the 'Xerox Auto and General Coca-cola Lions)

The Lions have made improvements on a quite a few fronts. Firstly they recruited player/coach Carlos Spencer. Next they got former All Blacks and Western Force coach John Mitchell to join the ranks as head coach, and lastly the team was bought by IT billionaire Robert Gumede. Gumede has publicly stated that he wants to return the Lions to their early 90's glory days and he does not mind opening his cheque for that purpose. After losing much talent to other teams the lions have gone fishing for talent and came home with Lionel Mapoe, Bandise Maku, Pat Cilliers, and Michael Rhodes to name a few. The new coach has brought a new playing style and a new energy to Lions. Watch out for a fit Elton Jantjies. Earl “Tiger Woods 2” Rose has joined Griquas and might feature in the mix. Shame

Only time will tell how the Lions will fare in 2011 and it is expected of them to improve on their last few seasons. They can only go up from here.

Stormers (From show ponies to real contenders)

Alistair Coetzee has helped transform the Stormers from being perennial underachievers to a team worthy of the S15 crown. Some intelligent purchases have bolstered the Stormers' depth and they possess a good blend of youth and experience. Coetzee will be desperate for 2007 player of the year, Bryan Habana to regain his form this season after a shocking (by his own standards) 2010 campaign. Peter Grant is back from his Japanese adventure and adds a more attack centred approach compared the Willem “wtf” de Waal. Schalk Burger, Duane Vermeulen, Jean De Villiers, Jacque Fourie, Andries Bekker and Flouw will remain the backbone of the team. Juan De Jong gets the chance to prove his is no one season wonder. Ronald McDonald Januarie is there to.

Cheetahs (or Heindrich Brussow and Juan Smith)

The Cheetahs have done well against local opposition in derby games but they have an over reliance on Juan Smith and Heindrich Brussow. Without these two players, especially Smith they have struggled against Australian and Kiwi teams. They have lost players, but have gained Andries Straus, Ryno Benjamin, Phillip Burger, and Wilhelm Steenkamp. The Cheetahs lack depth and will struggle to make a lasting impact in the extended format of the S15.



Bulls (The Champions)

The Bulls have dominated the S14 for a few years and it does not look likely to end in the S15. Many of their big name players will retire after this year's Rugby World Cup and will want to make their final Super Rugby experience one to remember. The only area of concern for the Bulls is their depth at 10. With Jacques Louis Potgieter moving to the Sharks Morne Steyn has been left slighly exposed with no real cover in that position if he were to get injured. Fourie Du Preez will make a welcome return after a long injury lay off. The Bulls are sure to be there come the play offs and other teams will have to learn how to beat them at home if they want to change that.