Super XV 2011 Preview: South African Conference

South African Conference
The South African teams go into the 2012 tournament with the spectre of the Southern Kings lurking behind them – the SARU has promised the Kings a seat at the Super Rugby table, and with Australia, New Zealand and Broadcasters not keen on expansion before 2015 the pressure not to finish last-in-conference is building. This season the recently high-flying Bulls and Stormers have lost some established stars to post-RWC retirement. Meanwhile the Lions are on the rise and the Sharks look dangerous.

v2's pick – South African Conference:
1) Sharks
2) Bulls
3) Lions
4) Stormers
5) Cheetahs


Bulls
Some very big names are missing from the Bulls this season, Botha, Matfield and Danie Rossouw are gone from the second row, Gurthrö Steenkamp is gone from up-front, and Fourie du Preez and Jaco Pretorius are out of the backline. The Bulls with three titles are equal second on the list of succesful franchises, but their squad losses mean that they should be reasonably satisfied if they make the playoffs.

The Bulls have some mouth-watering home ties against the Blues, Crusaders and Reds, while their Australasian tour opponents comprise the Rebels, Waratahs, Highlanders and Chiefs - they will be hoping to pick up two or three wins on tour.

Key Players: Morne Steyne, Pierre Spies, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Flip van der Merwe

Ones to watch: Francois Hougaardt must get lots of time in the number 9 jumper, he has shown electric pace from a standing start, he has the ability to scythe through the smallest of gaps and is a definite playmaker. Pierre Spies takes over the captaincy from the great Victor Matfield, it will be extremely important for him to lead from the front.

Gains: Lionel Cronjé, JJ Engelbrecht, Jacques Potgieter, Johann Sadie, Wilhelm Steenkamp, Dawie Steyn, Jano Vermaak, Willie Wepener Daniel Adongo

Losses: Bakkies Botha, Gary Botha, Stephan Dippenaar, Fourie du Preez, Derick Kuün, Victor Matfield, Jaco Pretorius, Danie Rossouw, Bees Roux, Gurthrö Steenkamp, Gerhard van den Heever, Stefan Watermeyer

Main Squad (not final):
Coach: Frans Ludeke
Props: Rossouw de Klerk, Dean Greyling, Frik Kirsten, Werner Kruger, Dawie Steyn
Hookers: Bongi Mbonambi, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Willie Wepener
Locks: Juandré Kruger, Fudge Mabeta, Wilhelm Steenkamp, Flip van der Merwe
Loose Forwards: Daniel Adongo, Arno Botha, Dewald Potgieter, Jacques Potgieter, Pierre Spies (c), CJ Stander, Deon Stegmann, Gerrit-Jan van Velze
Scrum-Halfs: Francois Hougaard, Ruan Snyman, Jano Vermaak
Fly-Halfs: Louis Fouché, Morné Steyn
Centres: Wynand Olivier, Johann Sadie, Francois Venter
Wingers: Bjorn Basson, JJ Engelbrecht, Akona Ndungane
Full Backs: Lionel Cronjé, Zane Kirchner, Jurgen Visser


Cheetahs
The Cheetahs finished fourth in the South African conference last year, and 11th overall. The loss of Sarel Pretorius to the Waratahs and Juan Smith missing the early stages suggests that they are going to struggle again in 2012. Their scrum should be solid once Coenie Oosthuizen recovers from injury, but their lineout really struggled in the warm-up match vs the Stormers, though they won that match. The Sharks came out rather convincing winners in the Cheetah's other warm-up.

In 2012 they are going to miss Riaan Viljoen with his pace and ability to join the line, his massive boot will also be missed. It is likely that they will struggle, but might just surprise a big team as they do once a year.

The Cheetahs get to play likely fellow strugglers the Brumbies and Hurricanes on their tour of Australasia, and they avoid playing the strong Reds and Blues in the round robin.

Key Players: Heinrich Brussow, Coenie Oosthuizen

Ones to watch: Juan Smith is one of the best flankers in the world, his long injury-enforced absence has hurt both the Cheetahs and the Springboks so the Cheetahs will be hoping to get him back sooner rather than later. Heinrich Brussow frequently gets mentioned in the same sentences as Richie McCaw and David Pocock, if he can stay fit the Cheetahs will pilfer a lot of ball.

Gains: Marnitz Boshoff, Jacques Coetzee, Andries Ferreira, Willie le Roux, Janro van Niekerk

Losses: Skipper Badenhorst, Naas Olivier, Sarel Pretorius, Wilhelm Steenkamp, Louis Strydom, Frans Viljoen, Riaan Viljoen

Main Squad (not final):
Coach: Naka Drotske
Props: Coenie Oosthuizen, Marcel van der Merwe, WP Nel, Lourens Adriaanse, Trevor Nyakane
Hookers: Adriaan Strauss, Hercu Liebenberg
Locks: Francois Uys, Andries Ferreira, George Earl, Izak vd Westhuizen
Loose Forwards: Heinrich Brussow, Justin Downey, Pieter “Lappies” Labuschagne, Phillip van der Walt, Ashley Johnson, Davon Raubenheimer, Juan Smith (c) (to be added when fit)
Scrum-Halfs: Piet van Zyl, Tewis de Bruyn
Fly-Halfs: Johan Goosen, Sias Ebersohn
Centres: Andries Strauss, Phillip Snyman, Robert Ebersohn, Barry Geel
Wingers: Cameron Jacobs, Rocco Jansen, Dusty Noble, Rayno Benjamin
Full Backs: Hennie Daniller, Willie le Roux


Lions
The Lions will go into this Super XV competition expecting to improve vastly on their log position from last year. They finished the domestic Currie Cup position on top and won the final at home for the first time in 30-odd years.

The question is though, how good is their depth; the squad has a number of veterans like Van Heerden, Butch James, CJ van der Linde and Waylon Murray, all very good quality players, but might it be a season too far for them?
Overall the biggest question for the Lions this year will be whether they can repay the faith and hard work John Mitchell has put in, and whether they will be able to compete at the higher level for such a long tournament.
The Lions miss out on playing the Highlanders and the Waratahs in the 2012 round robin, and will want to have plenty of points on the board before their Australasian tour over competition weeks 11-15.

Key Players: Elton Jantjies, Alwyn Hollenbach, CJ van der Linde

Ones to watch: Fullback Michael Killian has electric pace and an eye for the gap. His ball skills have improved tremendously as well as his running ability with ball in hand. Josh Strauss at flank is an inspirational captain and likely future Springbok who will add great value in the loose. Michael Bondesio at scrum-half took his opportunity with both hands during the Currie cup and will want to cement his name as a potential international player.

Gains: Ross Cronje, Stephan Greeff, Bradley Moolman, Whestley Moolman, Hendrik Roodt, CJ van der Linde

Losses: Burton Francis, Rory Kockott, André Pretorius, Johan Snyman, David Bulbring, Jano Vermaak, Wandile Mjekevu

Main Squad (not final):
Coach: John Mitchell
Props: Patric Cilliers, CJ van der Linde, Jacobie Adriaanse, JC Janse van Rensburg
Hookers: Martin Bezuidenhout, Bandise Maku
Locks: Stephan Greeff, Michael Rhodes, Franco van der Merwe, Hendrik Roodt
Loose Forwards: Cobus Grobbelaar, Derick Minnie, Jaco Kriel, Joshua Strauss, Warren Whiteley, Wikus van Heerden
Scrum-Halfs: Michael Bondesio, Ross Cronje, Whestley Moolman
Fly-Halfs: Butch James, Elton Jantjies
Centres: Alwyn Hollenbach, Doppies la Grange, Dylan des Fountain, Waylon Murray
Wingers: James Kamana, Deon van Rensburg, Lionel Mapoe
Full Backs: Jaco Taute, Michael Killian


Sharks
The Sharks will be looking to build on last season’s sixth placing, and look well placed to step up. While they have lost influential (though aging) stars in John Smit and Stefan Terblanche they still boast a potent front row, while having both Patrick Lambie and Freddie Michalak available in the halves suggests they will be able to feed quick ball out to the likes of JP Pietersen.

The Sharks will be looking for valuable on-the-road points in Canberra and Wellington, they avoid the Crusaders and Rebels in the round robin.

Key Players: The du Plessis brothers, Lambie

Ones to watch: The back row of Willem Alberts, Ryan Kankowski and Keegan Daniel will leave plenty of bruised defenders in their wake.

Gains: Marius Joubert, Riaan Viljoen, Tim Whitehead, Frédéric Michalak

Losses: Guy Cronje, Ross Cronje, Gerhard Mostert, Mark Richards, John Smit, Riaan Swanepoel, Stefan Terblanche, Jacques-Louis Potgieter, Eugene van Staden

Main Squad (not final):
Coach: John Plumtree
Props: Dale Chadwick, Jannie du Plessis, Wiehahn Herbst, Tendai Mtawarira, Julain Redelinghuys, Eugene van Staden
Hookers: Craig Burden, Kyle Cooper, Bismarck du Plessis
Locks: Anton Bresler, Alistair Hargreaves, Jan Andre Marais, Ross Skeate, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Steven Sykes
Loose Forwards: Willem Alberts, Jean Deysel, Jacques Botes, Marcell Coetzee, Keegan Daniel (c), Ryan Kankowski, Francois Kleinhans, Lubabalo Mtembu
Scrum-Halfs: Conrad Hoffmann, Charl McLeod, Cobus Reinach
Fly-Halfs: Patrick Lambie, Frédéric Michalak
Centres: Meyer Bosman, Paul Jordaan, Marius Joubert, Tim Whitehead
Wingers: Lwazi Mvovo, Odwa Ndungane, JP Pietersen, Sibusiso Sithole
Full Backs: Louis Ludik, Riaan Viljoen, Gouws Prinsloo


Stormers
The Stormers finished second on the overall points table last season, though didn’t make the final. In 2012 they have lost a number of big names, who are largely being replaced from within, while stalwarts Andries Bekker and Duane Vermeulen have been under injury clouds.
The Stormers’ Australasian tour sees them facing the Highlanders, Crusaders, Reds and Force, picking up eight points from that would be a par score for them. They miss out on playing the Chiefs and Brumbies in the round robin.

Key Players: Schalk Burger, Deon Fourie, Jean de Villiers

Ones to watch: Bryan Habana has being tried at centre in pre-season, could this breathe new life into a flagging career? Gio Aplon is one of the smallest wings/fullbacks around, but he’s strong under the high ball and returns kicks well.

Gains: Gerhard van den Heever, JP du Plessis, Joe Pietersen, Deon Carstens

Losses: Ethienne Reynecke, CJ van der Linde, Anton van Zyl, Francois Louw, Ricky Januarie, Lionel Cronje, Johann Sadie, Paul Bosch, JJ Engelbrecht, Tim Whitehead, Adriaan Fondse, Conrad Jantjes, Pieter Louw, Jaque Fourie, Rassie Erasmus (coach)

Main Squad (not final):
Coach: Allister Coetzee
Props: Deon Carstens/Clemen Lewis, Brok Harris, Steven Kitshoff, Frans Malherbe
Hookers: Deon Fourie, Tiaan Liebenberg, Duane Vermeulen, Siyabonga Ntubeni
Locks: Andries Bekker, Eben Etzebeth, De Kock Steenkamp, Rynhardt Elstadt
Loose Forwards: Schalk Burger, Nizaam Carr, Siya Kolisi, Nick Koster, Duane Vermeulen
Scrum-Halfs: Dewaldt Duvenage, Nic Groom, Louis Schreuder
Fly-Halfs: Gary Van Aswegen, Peter Grant, Burton Francis
Centres: Jean de Villiers, Marcel Brache
Wingers: Gio Aplon, Bryan Habana, Gerhard van den Heever, Danie Poolman
Full Backs: Joe Pietersen

Right, that's the Saffa conference largely finished, I think the Cheetahs section is a bit light, while I really hope the Stormers decide on a squad soon

Thoughts?

You could probably add that the Cheetahs had a mixed pre season warm up, they beat the Stormers, but to the sharks.

They are going to miss Riaan viljoen with his pace and ability to join the line, his massive boot will also be missed, it is likley that they will struggle, but might just surprise a big team as they do once a year.

Otherwise it looks very good.

Cheers Biltong. I've tweaked the Cheetahs section. Will give the Stormers until tomorrow, otherwise I guess I'll have to paste in the 55 man wider training squad.

Who do you think will be the Stormers' key players if they ever decide?

This is their 22 man squad for the weekend, so it is safe to say theyare in the squad.

Team: 15. Joe Pietersen, 14. Gio Aplon, 13. Bryan Habana, 12. Jean de Villiers, 11. Gerhard van den Heever, 10. Gary Van Aswegen, 9. Dewaldt Duvenage, 8. Nick Koster, 7. Duane Vermeulen, 6. Schalk Burger (Captain), 5. Andries Bekker, 4. Eben Etzebeth, 3. Brok Harris, 2. Tiaan Liebenberg, 1. Steven KitshoffReplacements: 16. Siyabonga Ntubeni, 17. Frans Malherbe, 18. De Kock Steenkamp, 19. Siya Kolisi, 20. Louis Schreuder, 21. Burton Francis, 22. Marcel Brache


This should be the rest with Lewis probably in until Fourie has recovered.
Nizaam Carr
Deon Carstens
Rynhardt Elstadt
Deon Fourie (currently on the injury list for 6 weeks)
Peter Grant
Nic Groom
Steven Kitshoff
Clement Lewis
Danie Poolman

Cheers.