[2014 Super Rugby] South African conference

[TRF_heineken]

Hein let's not do the *** for tat thing this year as rather talk sense and facts.
The Bulls got a decent amount of flankers in the last few years, be it bought or in lucky packets.
So many were "attracted" that some has moved on
CJ - Ireland
Jean Cook - Cheetahs
Jacques - Waratahs

Hence me saying use the other big names or they will leave as well, this is simple fact of rugby and life

Yeah, true. You can't keep a player and expect that he will stay if he's not going to play...

I think I'm just frustrated in that we seem to let the better ones go, and keep the ordinary. Like Stegmann and Ross

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Yeah, true. You can't keep a player and expect that he will stay if he's not going to play...

I think I'm just frustrated in that we seem to let the better ones go, and keep the ordinary. Like Stegmann and Ross

Now you know what a WP supporter feels like;

No JP Pietersen, no Francois Louw, no Francois Hougaard, no Guthro Steenkamp, no Morne Steyn, no PSdT, no JJ Engelbrecht, no Schalk Brits...

 

[TRF_heineken]

Now you know what a WP supporter feels like;

No JP Pietersen, no Francois Louw, no Francois Hougaard, no Guthro Steenkamp, no Morne Steyn, no PSdT, no JJ Engelbrecht, no Schalk Brits...

Yeah yeah, we are all in the same boat...

Are you guys just as bored as I am?? The Rugby can start now.

 

[Gena_ZA]

Yes this rugby wilderness is driving me insane..
First invite to friends going out today for the first two weekends.
Let me know when you are in the Pretoria/Centurion area and you can join us one day

 

[TRF_heineken]

Yes this rugby wilderness is driving me insane..
First invite to friends going out today for the first two weekends.
Let me know when you are in the Pretoria/Centurion area and you can join us one day

Thanx for the invite!

But that's going to be in a long while! I have to save up for my wedding in March, and my car broke down so I don't even want to know how much that is going to set me back.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

So with Arno Botha, Anthony Volmink and Cheslin Kolbe injured- 3 guys I was seriously considering for the formidable Foxsports fantasy rugby team, the Stormtroopers- and seeing as its 4 SA teams playing in round 1 I was wondering who do you see as the dark horses (though I suppose Arno Botha can't be seen as such being a Bok and all) to be top fantasy rugby points earners? Or do you guys think we shouldn't be throwing names about to keep our competitive edge as SA 'rugby gurus'?

 

[TRF_heineken]

So with Arno Botha, Anthony Volmink and Cheslin Kolbe injured- 3 guys I was seriously considering for the formidable Foxsports fantasy rugby team, the Stormtroopers- and seeing as its 4 SA teams playing in round 1 I was wondering who do you see as the dark horses (though I suppose Arno Botha can't be seen as such being a Bok and all) to be top fantasy rugby points earners? Or do you guys think we shouldn't be throwing names about to keep our competitive edge as SA 'rugby gurus'?

It's an interesting question, And I guess it depends on the value of the players to start with.

A guy like Handre Pollard might be a good investment, if he gets regular game time. Points earners are difficult to pick out so early as you don't know what kind of tactic the team will play.

You could also pick Siya Kolisi. It was clear from the warm-up game that he's the designated ball carrier when they use the driving maul.

 

[Gena_ZA]

For the Fantasy league I give only one tip.. trust in Brok Harris

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

It's an interesting question, And I guess it depends on the value of the players to start with.

A guy like Handre Pollard might be a good investment, if he gets regular game time. Points earners are difficult to pick out so early as you don't know what kind of tactic the team will play.

You could also pick Siya Kolisi. It was clear from the warm-up game that he's the designated ball carrier when they use the driving maul.

That begs the question of what role will Deon Fourie play this season.. last year he was close to top earner but now with Schalk back in the backrow and Scarra as pretty much 1st choice hooker he might have less of a role to play. His tries last year were also as dedicated carrier in the maul. If that role now goes to Kolisi he is definately in with a shout seeing as he has a high work rate to start off with and I expect the Stormers are going to be looking at 1 to 2 tries off the maul each game. It has certainly become a bit of a team speciality throughout last year's Currie Cup.

Kolisi does face stiff competition though. Even in just SA and even with Botha out there are still Lappies Labuschagne and Marcel Coetzee who are proven earners. With Keegan Daniel no longer Sharks captain I see him getting less time. Burger and Spies though past test rugby can still be worth a lot in SR and then there are a few dark horses; Jaco Kriel and Derrick Minie play for a losing team but get through a hell of a lot of work and Jean Cook will probably shine with the Cheetahs. TBH I don't it'll make much difference, the question rather being who'll get 80 minutes to perform IMO.

And that's just the loosies!!

Pollard, Goosen and Lambie represent the new-look SA flyhalf. I am not interested in Cat or Jantjies. What I am wondering though is whether Marnitz Boshoff will get a starting spot with the Lions; I see he is listed as a flyhalf but should be worth some points playing at 15 or even at 10 if Jantjies isn't 100% yet as he likes to take on the line. At that price he's a steal but so too Pollard who I'll back with confidence. I prefer Goosen but he's just so expensive for someone so injury-prone.

For the Fantasy league I give only one tip.. trust in Brok Harris

Stingy *******.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Not too double post but if any of the franchises were at all interested in picking him up (I don't know how no-one can be interested) the first name in my team would be...



Marnus Schoeman



Not that it makes too much difference. After round 1 I'll probably be filling my team with players from the Blues, Rebels, Highlanders and Hurricanes simply because those teams know only one way to play rugby and that's run it, run it, run it.

 

[Gena_ZA]

My general observations on loosies - Minnie is a no go as he gives away too many penalties, same with Coetzee that gets the odd yellow card due to his enthusiasm.
Ball carriers and good defenders is my choice - the Alberts type of player and Fourie as well cause he tends to do a lot of line breaks. Lapipes and Jean could also do very well here and if Jean is a sure starter he is worth the risk. Jaco Kriel will be awesome if his pack

Fly-half - I think Cat will be a good bet, he defends well and kicks good. Players like Goosen/Lambie a tad expensive and I would wait for the 2nd round and grab Marshall or Barret

Scrum-half has always been my most difficult place to get a god player, low scoring position until Sarel scores 3 tries in a one match and miss 10 tackles in the next..

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

My general observations on loosies - Minnie is a no go as he gives away too many penalties, same with Coetzee that gets the odd yellow card due to his enthusiasm.
Ball carriers and good defenders is my choice - the Alberts type of player and Fourie as well cause he tends to do a lot of line breaks. Lapipes and Jean could also do very well here and if Jean is a sure starter he is worth the risk. Jaco Kriel will be awesome if his pack

Fair enough remarks. I know I have a weak spot for Minie and need to keep my judgments clear. I would disagree about Alberts though. I don't think he is nearly as effective in the open game of Super Rugby as opposed to test rugby where he is a tank in trench warfare. He is just too big to be throwing that weight around for 80 minutes. IMO he just goes through the motions ala Ma'a Nonu until he gets to play test rugby.

Fly-half - I think Cat will be a good bet, he defends well and kicks good. Players like Goosen/Lambie a tad expensive and I would wait for the 2nd round and grab Marshall or Barret

That's just the thing with Cat. He'll make 8/8 tackles and kick his 85% of his goals but that's it. Now I know he scored a try against the Bulls on the weekend but that's rare enough and he doesn't put others into space as much as get the ball out quickly which means no try or line break assists. But like you said, everyone will be springing for a ANZAC flyhalf after round 1. I'd back Goosen and believe Pollard has the goods but the one is sooo injury prone and the other a bit of an unknown at this level, still a tad error prone and not even sure to play to start with.

Scrum-half has always been my most difficult place to get a god player, low scoring position until Sarel scores 3 tries in a one match and miss 10 tackles in the next..

Ja, that's a difficult one. Pretorius is not alone in mixing the sublime with the mediocre though; all the 9's do, he just does it with a greater set of parameters. Then there is the double question Hougaard/Van Zyl and Reinach/McLeod- who'll play and will they play or will they split the time? All 4 have point scoring potential. Personally I am hoping Hougaard plays on the wing (not sure this is as likely as it was a few years back though particularly with Mastriet there) with Van Zyl at 9 for the Bulls in which case going for Hougie is a no-branier.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Stormers: 15 Jaco Taute, 14 EW Viljoen, 13 Kyle Lombard, 12 Michael van der Spuy, 11 Devon Williams, 10 Gary van Aswegen, 9 Godlen Masimla, 8 Rayn Smid, 7 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 6 Rohan Kitshoff, 5 Ruan Botha, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Pat Cilliers, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg (c), 1 Oliver Kebble.
Replacements: 16 Alistair Vermaak, 17 Stephan Coetzee, 18 Brok Harris, 19 Tazz Fuzani, 20 Carel du Preez, 21 Eital Bredenkamp, 22 Justin Phillips, 23 Kurt Coleman, 24 JP Lewis, 25 Scott van Breda.

This from sarugby.com

Stormers sending out a 'C' team to face the Boland. I have to say I am glad the bigger names are getting a rest ahead of round 2. Most of the 'kids' here I either don't know or didn't know were on our roster like EW Viljoen but glad we have him.

 

[Draggs]

Ah yes, that big wing we discussed a few weeks back. Grey College and not playing for the Sharks?!?

Apparently White sees Sithole as an outside centre. Backline with him, Lambie, Steyn, Mvovo, Pietersen... Oh lord. Pace. Power. I still have high hopes for Jordaan, so hope they both develop further. Marais was coming along nicely, hope he gets back to speed after the injury. Also, whichever scrumhalf we bench seems to play well, so good luck to Reinach and McLeod on alternating weeks!

 

[TRF_heineken]

Stormers: 15 Jaco Taute, 14 EW Viljoen, 13 Kyle Lombard, 12 Michael van der Spuy, 11 Devon Williams, 10 Gary van Aswegen, 9 Godlen Masimla, 8 Rayn Smid, 7 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 6 Rohan Kitshoff, 5 Ruan Botha, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Pat Cilliers, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg (c), 1 Oliver Kebble.
Replacements: 16 Alistair Vermaak, 17 Stephan Coetzee, 18 Brok Harris, 19 Tazz Fuzani, 20 Carel du Preez, 21 Eital Bredenkamp, 22 Justin Phillips, 23 Kurt Coleman, 24 JP Lewis, 25 Scott van Breda.

This from sarugby.com

Stormers sending out a 'C' team to face the Boland. I have to say I am glad the bigger names are getting a rest ahead of round 2. Most of the 'kids' here I either don't know or didn't know were on our roster like EW Viljoen but glad we have him.

Is this not the Vodacom Cup Squad?? Apart from Brok Harris and Tiaan Liebenberg, I'm sure nearly all those guys are part of the Vodacom Cup squad.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Ah yes, that big wing we discussed a few weeks back. Grey College and not playing for the Sharks?!?

Apparently White sees Sithole as an outside centre. Backline with him, Lambie, Steyn, Mvovo, Pietersen... Oh lord. Pace. Power. I still have high hopes for Jordaan, so hope they both develop further. Marais was coming along nicely, hope he gets back to speed after the injury. Also, whichever scrumhalf we bench seems to play well, so good luck to Reinach and McLeod on alternating weeks!

I can hardly believe it myself, yeah. I expect you're welcome to swop back for PSdT?

Looks like White is slowly but surely building the team of his (and mine TBH) wet dreams.

Is this not the Vodacom Cup Squad?? Apart from Brok Harris and Tiaan Liebenberg, I'm sure nearly all those guys are part of the Vodacom Cup squad.

I overstated a bit, yeah, sorry.

Masimla, Williams, Du Preez from the Vodacom cup side. Harris, Liebenberg, Cilliers, Taute, Kitshoff and Coleman of course have SR experience. Ruan Botha we got from the Lions last year even though he didn't play for us in SR yet. Van Breda in this year and most of the others have been around the WP lower/youth tier fringes.

I expect some of these guys will be heavily relied upon during the year. AC has already stated that Ruan Botha will become a fixture as our 1st choice line-out operator. When Etzebeth returns we'll see what roles him, Steenkamp and Elstadt take up.

 

[TRF_heineken]

The Lions have announced their Super Rugby Squad:

2014 Lions Super Rugby Squad:

Michael Bondesio, Marnitz Boshoff, Chrysander Botha, Willie Britz, Andries Coetzee, Robbie Coetzee, Ruan Combrinck, Francois de Klerk, Ruan Dreyer, Corne Fourie, Deon Helberg, Alwyn Hollenbach, Elton Jantjies, JW Jonker, Jaco Kriel, Luvuyiso Lusaseni, Lionel Mapoe, Malcolm Marx, Derick Minnie, Franco Mostert, Martin Muller, Julian Redelinghuys, Courtnall Skosan, Warwick Tecklenburg, Franco van der Merwe, Schalk van der Merwe, Deon van Rensburg, Jacques van Rooyen, Coenie van Wyk, Anthony Volmink , Stefan Watermeyer, Willie Wepener, Warren Whiteley (c)

It's basically the squad they had for the Currie Cup with some good additions from the Pumas and under 21 teams.

Most notable additions are Stefan Watermeyer and JW Jonker from the Pumas.

This team has the possibility to be very lethal with ball in hand, I just wonder how strong they would be at the set pieces...

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

The Lions have announced their Super Rugby Squad:

2014 Lions Super Rugby Squad:

Michael Bondesio, Marnitz Boshoff, Chrysander Botha, Willie Britz, Andries Coetzee, Robbie Coetzee, Ruan Combrinck, Francois de Klerk, Ruan Dreyer, Corne Fourie, Deon Helberg, Alwyn Hollenbach, Elton Jantjies, JW Jonker, Jaco Kriel, Luvuyiso Lusaseni, Lionel Mapoe, Malcolm Marx, Derick Minnie, Franco Mostert, Martin Muller, Julian Redelinghuys, Courtnall Skosan, Warwick Tecklenburg, Franco van der Merwe, Schalk van der Merwe, Deon van Rensburg, Jacques van Rooyen, Coenie van Wyk, Anthony Volmink , Stefan Watermeyer, Willie Wepener, Warren Whiteley (c)

It's basically the squad they had for the Currie Cup with some good additions from the Pumas and under 21 teams.

Most notable additions are Stefan Watermeyer and JW Jonker from the Pumas.

This team has the possibility to be very lethal with ball in hand, I just wonder how strong they would be at the set pieces...

A stronger squad than I was expecting TBF but that tight 5 is horrible. No Bees Roux? They were light in the front row with him but without him...

Not a stronger or much weaker squad than has duty for them in previous years. Add the fact that they've been out in the wilderness without truly competitive rugby for a year and I expect them to have a terrible year. They'd be lucky to get 1 single win IMO. SARU really didn't do them any favours with the Kings' promotion and now the **** is coming home to roost.

 

[Gena_ZA]

No Helberg and no Hannekom + no Roux - now that is just plain stupid

As for Naka and his comments about not needing a defensive coach as the structures are in place now - duh Naka, teams change by the year and work you out; if you don't have an expert to analyze and think forward you will be where you were 2 years ago before you realize it

 

[Draggs]

I can hardly believe it myself, yeah. I expect you're welcome to swop back for PSdT?

Looks like White is slowly but surely building the team of his (and mine TBH) wet dreams.

Uhhh, about that...

Sharks squad for 2014 Super Rugby
Lourens Adriaanse, Willem Alberts, Jacques Botes, Anton Bresler, Dale Chadwick, Marcell Coetzee, Kyle Cooper, Tonderai Chavhanga, Keegan Daniel, Jean Deysel, Bismarck du Plessis (captain), Jannie du Plessis, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Thomas du Toit, Andre Esterhuizen, Tyler Fisher, Hansie Graaf, Monde Hadebe, Paul Jordaan, Ryan Kankowski, Patrick Lambie, Stephan Lewies, Peet Marais ,SP Marais, Charl McLeod, Tendai Mtawarira, Tera Mtembu, Lwazi Mvovo, Odwa Ndungane, Etienne Oosthuizen, JP Pietersen, Cobus Reinach, S'bura Sithole, Francois Steyn, Tim Swiel, Stefan Ungerer, Jaco van Tonder, Heimar Williams