SA feeling bullish about Super 14

JOHANNESBURG – Will this be the year that a South African team finally wins the Super rugby crown? New Zealand and Australian teams have dominated in the 11 years of Super 12 and Super 14 rugby, but there is a quiet optimism in South Africa that the Australasian stranglehold on the title is about to be broken.

A number of factors have led to the upbeat spirit in which the South African teams are approaching this season’s tournament. Firstly, and probably most importantly, New Zealand’s top players will play no part in the early rounds, meaning the multi-championship winning Crusaders will be without the likes of Richie McCaw and Dan Carter for a number of matches.Also, the South African teams are, according to new Lions (formerly the Cats) coach Eugene Eloff ‘tired of losing and propping up the table’.There is of course also the small matter of the World Cup later in the year and for many players a good performance in Super 14 rugby could ensure their plane ticket to France.There is plenty to play for, but foremost on all the players’ minds will be the matter of capturing a trophy that has yet to find a home in South Africa.The country’s best chance will again come from the Pretoria-based Bulls, who’ve reached the semi-finals for the last two years.Heyneke Meyer’s squad is full of Springbok superstars, among them Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, Fourie du Preez and Bryan Habana.There is a wealth of experience and in the off season they even managed to lure Lions skipper Wikus van Heerden into the Bull kraal.He’ll bring even greater depth to the loose forward reserves which includes Pierre Spies, Danie Rossouw and Pedrie Wannenburg.”We’re a well-balanced side with good experience, but also, the guys know what to expect,” said Meyer recently when quizzed on his team’s readiness.Having reached the semifinals last year, Meyer will be hoping to go one better this time around, but crucially the Bulls will want to end in the top two to ensure a home playoff.If that happens, the chances of them taking the title are good as few teams rock up at Loftus Versfeld and come away with a win.The Cheetahs and Sharks are South Africa’s other big hopes.Rassie Erasmus will be wiser in his second year in charge of the Cheetahs, as will the players and with them playing their first seven matches in South Africa a good start will be crucial.There’s greater depth in the squad this year, like new signing, Springbok centre Marius Joubert, who should add much needed experience to the back division.The Sharks should again do well as they have some battle-hardened men up front, like Springboks skipper John Smit and veteran AJ Venter, and silky-smooth runners in the form of Ruan Pienaar and Francois Steyn at the back.They’ll also need a good start at home before heading abroad if they’re to make an impact.The Stormers look like mid-table material, mainly because of a lack of depth in the tight-five, but the return to rugby of Schalk Burger and the signing of Brent Russell and Conrad Jantjes could spark the team.As for the Lions (formerly the Cats), well, anything is possible, but they’re young, inexperienced and also lack depth up front.Much will hinge on captain and flyhalf Andre Pretorius staying fit, but they are going to miss Wikus van Heerden immensely.Nampa-AFPFirstly, and probably most importantly, New Zealand’s top players will play no part in the early rounds, meaning the multi-championship winning Crusaders will be without the likes of Richie McCaw and Dan Carter for a number of matches.Also, the South African teams are, according to new Lions (formerly the Cats) coach Eugene Eloff ‘tired of losing and propping up the table’.There is of course also the small matter of the World Cup later in the year and for many players a good performance in Super 14 rugby could ensure their plane ticket to France.There is plenty to play for, but foremost on all the players’ minds will be the matter of capturing a trophy that has yet to find a home in South Africa.The country’s best chance will again come from the Pretoria-based Bulls, who’ve reached the semi-finals for the last two years.Heyneke Meyer’s squad is full of Springbok superstars, among them Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, Fourie du Preez and Bryan Habana.There is a wealth of experience and in the off season they even managed to lure Lions skipper Wikus van Heerden into the Bull kraal.He’ll bring even greater depth to the loose forward reserves which includes Pierre Spies, Danie Rossouw and Pedrie Wannenburg.”We’re a well-balanced side with good experience, but also, the guys know what to expect,” said Meyer recently when quizzed on his team’s readiness.Having reached the semifinals last year, Meyer will be hoping to go one better this time around, but crucially the Bulls will want to end in the top two to ensure a home playoff.If that happens, the chances of them taking the title are good as few teams rock up at Loftus Versfeld and come away with a win.The Cheetahs and Sharks are South Africa’s other big hopes.Rassie Erasmus will be wiser in his second year in charge of the Cheetahs, as will the players and with them playing their first seven matches in South Africa a good start will be crucial.There’s greater depth in the squad this year, like new signing, Springbok centre Marius Joubert, who should add much needed experience to the back division.The Sharks should again do well as they have some battle-hardened men up front, like Springboks skipper John Smit and veteran AJ Venter, and silky-smooth runners in the form of Ruan Pienaar and Francois Steyn at the back.They’ll also need a good start at home before heading abroad if they’re to make an impact.The Stormers look like mid-table material, mainly because of a lack of depth in the tight-five, but the return to rugby of Schalk Burger and the signing of Brent Russell and Conrad Jantjes could spark the team.As for the Lions (formerly the Cats), well, anything is possible, but they’re young, inexperienced and also lack depth up front.Much will hinge on captain and flyhalf Andre Pretorius staying fit, but they are going to miss Wikus van Heerden immensely.Nampa-AFP