SA franchises in 2013

[TRF_heineken]

Okay I'll try as well...

Bulls:

Props:
Dean Greyling
Morne Mellett
Frik Kirsten
Werner Kruger
Marcell van der Merwe (currently with the cheetahs)
Dawie Steyn

Hookers:
Willie Wepener
Chilliboy Ralepelle
Ettienne Reyneke
Bongi Mbonambi

Locks:
Jeandre Kruger
Flip van Der Merwe
Wilhelm Steenkamp
Paul Willemse (currently at lions)
Cornell Hess

Flankers:
Deon Stegman
Jacques Potgieter
Dewald Potgieter
Jean Cook

No 8:
Pierre Spies
Arno Botha

Scrumhalf:
Francois Hougaard
Jano Vermaak
Ruan Snyman

Fly Half:
Morne Steyn
Handre Pollard
Louis Fouche
Lionel Cronje

Centres:
Wynand Olivier (yes he's allowed to play Super Rugby)
Jan Serfontein
William Small-Smith
Ulrich Beyers
JJ Engelbrecht
Lionell Mapoe
Francois Venter

Wingers:
Bjorn Basson
Sampie Mastriet
Akona Ndungane
JJ Engelbrecht *
Lionel Mapoe *
Francois Hougaard *

Fullbacks:
Zane Kirchner
Clayton Blommetjies
Jurgen Visser

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

I'll have a go for us:
Included some that will probably play Vodacom Cup, but might see S15 time
Props:
Dale Chadwick
Allan Dell
Jannie du Plessis
Wiehahn Herbst
Tendai Mtawarira

Hooker:
Craig Burden
Kyle CooperBismarck du Plessis
Monde Hadebe

Second Row:
Anton Bresler
Pieter-Steph du Toit
Jan Andre Marais
Peet Marais
Franco van der Merwe

Back Row:
Willem Alberts
Jacques Botes
Chris Cloete
Marcell Coetzee
Keegan Daniel
Jean Deysel
Ryan Kankowski
Francois Kleinhans
Brynard Stander
Lubabalo Mtembu

Scrum Half:
Conrad Hoffmann (where his he?)
Charl McLeod
Cobus Reinach

Stand Off:
Meyer Bosman
Patrick Lambie
Fred Zeilinga

Centre:
Paul Jordaan
Francois Steyn
Tim Whitehead
Heimar Williams

Wing:
Piet Lindique
Wandile Mjekevu
Lwazi Mvovo
Odwa Ndungane
JP Pietersen
Rosco Speckman

Fullback:
Louis Ludik
Gouws Prinsloo
Riaan Viljoen

Pity about Bismark's injuries. Burden is a quality hooker though. Who would you prefer to be starting? There are a number of places wherre there isn't a clear starter IMO.

Okay I'll try as well...

Bulls:

Props:
Dean Greyling
Morne Mellett
Frik Kirsten
Werner Kruger
Marcell van der Merwe (currently with the cheetahs)
Dawie Steyn

Hookers:
Willie Wepener
Chilliboy Ralepelle
Ettienne Reyneke
Bongi Mbonambi

Locks:
Jeandre Kruger
Flip van Der Merwe
Wilhelm Steenkamp
Paul Willemse (currently at lions)
Cornell Hess

Flankers:
Deon Stegman
Jacques Potgieter
Dewald Potgieter
Jean Cook

No 8:
Pierre Spies
Arno Botha

Scrumhalf:
Francois Hougaard
Jano Vermaak
Ruan Snyman

Fly Half:
Morne Steyn
Handre Pollard
Louis Fouche
Lionel Cronje

Centres:
Wynand Olivier (yes he's allowed to play Super Rugby)
Jan Serfontein
William Small-Smith
Ulrich Beyers
JJ Engelbrecht
Lionell Mapoe
Francois Venter

Wingers:
Bjorn Basson
Sampie Mastriet
Akona Ndungane
JJ Engelbrecht *
Lionel Mapoe *
Francois Hougaard *

Fullbacks:
Zane Kirchner
Clayton Blommetjies
Jurgen Visser

I didn't know Marcell was going to the Bulls. That's a good signing and a big hit to the Cheetahs considering they've lost WP Nel already and Wian du Preez the year before. They'll have problems if either of Nyakane or Oosthuizen get injured which is a likelyhood considering Oosthuizen's track record with injury.

That line-up of centers looks very promising. Will be interesting to see who gets to the top of the hill. Just a bi of a pity the are all centralized but that's not the Bull's problem.

I'm looking forward to see Botha get some time but it's a pity it's because CJ has left and not one of the others (I'm looking at Spies and Steggies).

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

I'll do Cheetahs seeing as their my close second team;

Props:
Coenie Oosthuizen
Trevor Nyakane
Rossouw de Klerk (in from the Bulls)
Caylib Oosthuizen (in from the Lions)
Ross Geldenhuys

Hookers:
Adriaan Strauss (c)
Hercu Liebenberg
PW van Vuuren

Locks:
Francois Uys
Isaac van der Westhuizen
Waltie Vermeulen
Martin Muller (Griquas)
Andries Ferreira
Devon Raubenheimer

Loosies:
Heinrich Brussow
Pieter Labuschagne
Philip van der Walt
Frans Viljoen
Boom Prinsloo
Tertius Daniller (in from WP)
Kabamba Floors
Hendro Scholtz

Scrummies:
Piet van Zyl
Tewis de Bruyn
Sarel Pretorius

Flyhalves:
Johan Goosen
Riaan Smit
Elgar Watts (in from Boland)

Centers:
Johann Sadie (in from the Bulls)
Robert Ebersohn
Philip Snyman
Joubert Engelbrecht (in from Leopards)
Barry Geel

Wings:
Raymond Rhule
Nico Scheepers
Cameron Jacobs
Rayno Benjamin
Cornel Hendricks (in from Boland)

Fullbacks;
Hennie Daniller
I assume Willie le Roux will play for them though he is still signed with the Griquas as far as I know.

A little more consistency for the Cheetahs than most years though they've still lost a bit more than they've gained. I expect a 11th place finish. 9th would be a job well done.


If they can get some of the guys from the Griquas (who finised higher than them on the CC log)- Le Roux, Schoeman in particular- they might be good for 10th. I heard on the radio that Naka Drotske is up for review after a poor Currie Cup and might lose his job even if FS win their CC promotion/relegation matches against the Kings. IMO it'd be good for them in the long run to get someone else in but the biggest problem there IMO is with Verster.

 

[TRF_heineken]

I didn't know Marcell was going to the Bulls. That's a good signing and a big hit to the Cheetahs considering they've lost WP Nel already and Wian du Preez the year before. They'll have problems if either of Nyakane or Oosthuizen get injured which is a likelyhood considering Oosthuizen's track record with injury.

That line-up of centers looks very promising. Will be interesting to see who gets to the top of the hill. Just a bi of a pity the are all centralized but that's not the Bull's problem.

I'm looking forward to see Botha get some time but it's a pity it's because CJ has left and not one of the others (I'm looking at Spies and Steggies).

Yeah Marcell is a trade for Rossouw De Klerk. I think the Bulls won there...

What's nice about the Bulls backs are the versatility... Jurgen Visser can play both fly half and fullback. Hougies can play nearly anywhere. Blommetjies can play Fullback and wing. and JJ and Mapoe can play both centre and wing.

I'm excited about our young propects, and I even forgot to mention Shaun Adendorff and Wiaan Liebenberg who were part of the U/20 world cup winning team, and both can play flanker and 8th man...

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Yeah Marcell is a trade for Rossouw De Klerk. I think the Bulls won there...

What's nice about the Bulls backs are the versatility... Jurgen Visser can play both fly half and fullback. Hougies can play nearly anywhere. Blommetjies can play Fullback and wing. and JJ and Mapoe can play both centre and wing.

I'm excited about our young propects, and I even forgot to mention Shaun Adendorff and Wiaan Liebenberg who were part of the U/20 world cup winning team, and both can play flanker and 8th man...

Yeah, Adendorf and Serfontein pretty had their way with the opposition in the u21 games they played that I saw so I'm sure they are just waiting for a chance at a higher level.

 

[TRF_heineken]

Yeah, Adendorf and Serfontein pretty had their way with the opposition in the u21 games they played that I saw so I'm sure they are just waiting for a chance at a higher level.

the guy to watch out for though is Jean Cook.

He looks and plays like a young Schalk Burger...

 

[Bull]

Bulls should have released Spies and Stegmann and who-ever else possible to keep CJ, he is a real loss. Not because he's a Bull but I genuinely believe he is the best loose forward in SA. Is Mapoe really coming to the Bulls? Marcell vd Merwe is a tighthead right, Werner Kruger is kak! Glad they let Sadie go to FS, flash in the pan.

Generally a good squad just need to move on from this kick and chase gameplan and the pink jerseys.

 

[Draggs]

I like Burden's explosive power, but Bismarck is first choice when fit.
Craig is a dedicated Shark, and seeing his name in the 22 is assurance of a good performance. He offers plenty off the bench, and is certainly ahead of Cooper and Hadebe right now.

Sadie was supposed to be the next big thing, unfortunate injuries for him.

 

[Sker]

I've also heard Verster is the real problem at the Cheetahs and the players quite like Naka as a coach

 

[Bull]

http://keo.co.za/2012/10/23/spies-extends-bulls-stay/ <_<

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/CurrieCup/Taute-inks-Stormers-deal-20121024

Taute has put pen to paper and is now with the Stormers (and has indicated that he might opt to stay here!). Now for the other signatures.

 

[Bull]

As much as I hate to say it this might be a good move for him with the current situation at the Lions.

 

[TRF_heineken]

http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/CurrieCup/Taute-inks-Stormers-deal-20121024

Taute has put pen to paper and is now with the Stormers (and has indicated that he might opt to stay here!). Now for the other signatures.

Just an interesting stat:

Players of WP not from the Western Cape Area

Brok Harris
Deon Fourie
Scarra Ntubeni
Don Armand
Duane Vermeulen
Jebb Sinclair
Demetri Catrakilis
Gary van Aswegen
Kurt Coleman
Gerhard van den Heever
Joe Pietersen

and then add Jaco Taute and Elton Jantjies to that squad too...

It's weird, as WP with so many great rugby schools available to them in their pool, they are starting to get more and more guys from other regions.

Before you guys castrate me, I'm not judging, as the Bulls are the last team who could say proudly that they have only NTVL guys in their team. I'm just wondering if this is strange to you guys too?

 

[Draggs]

Not really, with the professional game and so much emphasis on team academies, we seen plenty of players in other provinces.
We seem to have a good connection at Grey College, plenty have come through our academy.

 

[TRF_heineken]

Not really, with the professional game and so much emphasis on team academies, we seen plenty of players in other provinces.
We seem to have a good connection at Grey College, plenty have come through our academy.

I agree with you Draggs regarding the Sharks, their academy has some pretty good scouts. Even here in Limpopo, I know there is a prop at the Sharks Academy with the surname of Minnie that comes from this region (his Grandmother works for my dad), and apparently he's going to be the next big thing, according to John Smit.

But my question was mainly aimed at WP and their recent increase in other regional players.

The Bulls also have some good scouts in the Paarl area and therefore there's a lot of guys from there coming up north.

 

[Draggs]

I cannot answer for WP (or really the Sharks).
Glad to hear of another young prop. Dell and van Dyk are two others, so good signs!

 

[Bull]

Nick Koster signs with Bath, overrated and injury prone come to mind.
http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,16024_8191571,00.html

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Just an interesting stat:

Players of WP not from the Western Cape Area

Brok Harris
Deon Fourie
Scarra Ntubeni
Don Armand
Duane Vermeulen
Jebb Sinclair
Demetri Catrakilis
Gary van Aswegen
Kurt Coleman
Gerhard van den Heever
Joe Pietersen

and then add Jaco Taute and Elton Jantjies to that squad too...

It's weird, as WP with so many great rugby schools available to them in their pool, they are starting to get more and more guys from other regions.

Before you guys castrate me, I'm not judging, as the Bulls are the last team who could say proudly that they have only NTVL guys in their team. I'm just wondering if this is strange to you guys too?

I hear you. And the thing is I believe we are drawing the short straw in all of these instances apart from Vermeulen. Sinclair was just a loan when we were ravaged with injuries in the position even going through 4 loosies in our extended squad. It's every Capie's wish that our local boys stay here;
Guthro Steenkamp, Hougaard, Morne Steyn, Schalk Brits, Juandre Kruger, Ernst Joubert just from the Boland... funny how many of them end up at the Bulls.. and then we get lesser players back FFS. And look at the recent departures of WP talent to the Bulls; Pollard, Sadie, Engelbrecht. Yeah, we need to address that **** and try to keep our local talent.

Nick Koster signs with Bath, overrated and injury prone come to mind.
http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,16024_8191571,00.html

Does that mean we can get Flo back now? Oh, please!?

We can do without Koster if we can hold some semblence of shape ITO injuries in the backrow next year. Between Vermeulen, Schalk, Kolisi, Carr, Fourie and Armand we should be fine (although Flo would add some nice balance).

 

[TRF_heineken]

Does that mean we can get Flo back now? Oh, please!?

We can do without Koster if we can hold some semblence of shape ITO injuries in the backrow next year. Between Vermeulen, Schalk, Kolisi, Carr, Fourie and Armand we should be fine (although Flo would add some nice balance).

I was thinking the same when I read the article. That would be a great swap, not just for WP rugby, but for SA Rugby too!

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Hein, your post made me think what a 'state of origin' Currie cup could look like ITO line-up. Lets have a go! WP fans back me up if I am forgetting anyone who might be worth including;

1 Guthro Steenkamp (Tolousse)
2 Schalk Brits (Saracens)
3 WP Nel (Edinburgh)
4 Eben Etzebeth
5 Andries Bekker
6 Francois Louw (Bath)
7 Schalk Burger
8 Ernst Joubert (Saracens)
9 Francois Hougaard (Bulls)
10 Morne Steyn (Bulls)
11 Willie le Rouw (Cheetahs)
12 Jean de Villiers
13 Juan de Jongh
14 JP Pietersen (Sharks)
15 Gio Aplon

It'd be very interesting to see the EP Kings vs Lions everything considered; who'd come out on top if all was level.