2013 S15 South Africa Conference

[PaarlBok]

2012 done and dusted, going into reconditioning time and time to move on to 2013. Decided to open only one thread for our S15 franchises.

Stormers:
Possible Squad:
Full Back: Jaco Taute*, Joe Pietersen,
Wings: Bryan Habana*, Gio Aplon*, Gerhard vd Heever, de Allende
Outside Center: JdJ*, JP du Plessis
Inside Center: JdV*, Brachie
Flyhalf: Jantjies*, Grant*
ScrumHalf: Duvenhage, Groom, Schreuder
Eighthman: Duanne Vermeulen*
Flank: Schalk Burger*, Kolisi, Elstadt, Carr, Lehmann, Holmes
Lock: Bekker*, Etsebeth*, Steenkamp, Rhodes, Armand,vd Sluys,
Tighthead Prop: Cilliers*, Malherbe, Harris
Hooker: Liebenberg*, Fourie, Scarra Ntubeni,
Loosehead Prop: Ginga, Kritzinger
* Springbokke

The DHL Stormers' 2013 Super Rugby fixtures: 22-02: Bulls (Pretoria). 02-03: Sharks (Durban). 09-03: Chiefs (Kaapstad). 23-03: Brumbies (Kaapstad). 30-03: Crusaders (Kaapstad). 06-04: Cheetahs (Bloemfontein). 13-04: Sharks (Kaapstad). 26-04: Hurricanes (weg, plek onseker). 03-05: Blues (weg, plek onseker). 11-05: Waratahs (Sydney). 17-05: Rebels (Melbourne). 25-05: Reds (Kaapstad). 01-06: Kings (Kaapstad). 29-06: Cheetahs (Kaapstad). 06-07: Kings (Port Elizabeth). 13-07: Bulls (Kaapstad).


Sharks:
Possible Squad:
Full Back: Louis Ludick, Riaan Viljoen*, Gouws Prinsloo
Right Wing: JP Pietersen*, Odwa Ndugane*,
Outside Center: Paul Jordaan, Tyler Fisher, Marius Joubert*
Inside Center: Frans Steyn*, Tim Whitehead, Meyer Bosman*, Heimer Williams
Left Wings: Lwazi Mvovo*, Sibusiso Sithole, Rosco Speckman
Flyhalf: Patrick Lambie*, Butch James*, Fred Zeilinga, Robert Du Preez jnr
ScrumHalf: Cobus Reinach, Charl Mcleod, Conrad Hoffmann, Hanco Venter
Eighthman: Ryan Kankowski*, Keegan Daniel*, Lubabalo Mtembu
Flank: Willem Alberts*, Jean Deysel*, Marcel Coetzee*, Jacques Botes, Chris Cloete, Franscois Kleinhans, Brynhard Stander
Lock: Anton Bresler, Jandre Marais, Peet Marais, Pieter- Stef Du Toit, Franco VD Merwe
Tighthead Prop: Jannie Du Plessis*, Wiehann Herbst, Jullian Redelinghuys, Nick schonert
Hooker: Bismark Du Plessis*, Craig Burden, Kyle Cooper, Monde Hadebe, Franco Marais
Loosehead Prop: Tendai Mtawarira*, Dale Chadwick, Danie Mienie, Allan Dell

Fixtures:
23-02: Cheetahs (Bloemfontein). 02-03: Stormers (Durban). 09-03: Kings (Port Elizabeth). 16-03: Brumbies (Durban). 23-03: Rebels (Durban). 05-04: Crusaders (Durban). 13-04: Stormers (Kaapstad). 20-04: Cheetahs (Durban). 27-04: Chiefs (weg, plek onseker). 04-05: Highlanders (Dunedin). 10-05: Reds (Brisbane). 17-05: Force (Perth). 25-05: Bulls (Durban). 29-06: Blues (Durban). 06-07: Bulls (Pretoria). 13-07: Kings (Durban).
Bulls:
Wider Training Group:
Akona Ndungane*, Arno Botha*, Basil Short, Bjorn Basson*, Bongi Mbonambi, Callie Visagie, Chiliboy Ralepelle*, Clayton Blommetjies, Corne Cooper (schoolboy), Cornell Hess, Dawie Steyn, Daniel Kriel (schoolboy), Dean Greyling*, Deon Stegmann*, Dewald Potgieter*, Flip van der Merwe*, Francois Hougaard*, Francois Venter, Frik Kirsten, Grant Hattingh, Handrè Pollard (schoolboy), Hencus van Wyk, Jan Serfontein, Jano Vermaak*, Jacques Potgieter*, Jacques du Plessis, Jean Cook, Jesse Kriel (schoolboy), JJ Engelbrecht*, Juandrè Kruger*, Jürgen Visser, Juan Schoeman, Lionel Mapoe*, Lohan Jacobs, Louis Fouchè, Marcel van der Merwe, Marvin Orie, Mike Williams, Mornè Mellett, Mornè Steyn*, Paul Willemse, Pierre Spies*, Rohan Janse van Rensburg (schoolboy), Ruan Snyman, Rudy Paige, Sampie Mastriet, Schalk van Heerden, Shaun Adendorff, Tiaan Schoeman, Tony Jantjies, Travis Ismaiel, Ulrich Beyers, Werner Kruger*, Wiaan Liebenberg, Wilhelm Steenkamp, Willie Wepener, William Small-Smith, Wynand Olivier*, Zane Kirchner*
Fixtures22-02: Stormers (Pretoria). 02-03: Force (Pretoria). 09-03: Blues (Auckland). 16-03: Crusaders (Christchurch). 23-03: Reds (Brisbane). 30-03: Brumbies (Canberra). 13-04: Cheetahs (Pretoria). 20-04: Kings (Port Elizabeth). 27-04: Waratahs (Pretoria). 04-05: Hurricanes (Pretoria). 18-05: Highlanders (Pretoria). 25-05: Sharks (Durban). 01-06: Cheetahs (Bloemfontein). 29-06: Kings (Pretoria). 06-07: Sharks (Pretoria). 13-07: Stormers (Kaapstad).
Cheetahs:

Squad:
Forwards: Steph Roberts, Caylib Oosthuizen, Trevor Nyakane, Coenie Oosthuizen, Lourens Adriaanse, Rossouw de Klerk, Ryno Barnes, Adriaan Strauss, Hercu Liebenberg, Torsten van Jaarsveld, Ligtoring Landman, Francois Uys, Andries Ferreira, Edwin Hewitt, Martin Muller, Waltie Vermeulen, Lodewyk de Jager, Marnus Schoeman, Lappies Labuschagné, Heinrich Brüssow, Boom Prinsloo, Justin Downey, Davon Raubenheimer, Philip van der Walt, Leon Karemaker, Tertius Daniller.

Backs: Marnus Hugo, Sarel Pretorius, Pieter van Zyl, Tewis de Bruyn, Johan Goosen, Francois Brummer, Hansie Graaff, Elgar Watts, Barry Geel, Robert Ebersohn, Joubert Engelbrecht, Jean Stemmet, Johann Sadie, JP Nel, Rocco Jansen, Raymond Rhule, Cornal Hendricks, Jannie Boshoff, Dusty Noble, Rayno Benjamin, Nico Scheepers, Willie le Roux, Hennie Daniller, Riaan Smit. (Players in bold text have no Super rugby experience)

Injured players are Coenie Oosthuizen (back), Andries Ferreira (knee), Johan Goosen (knee), Heinrich Brüssow (shoulder), Philip van der Walt (knee) and Lappies Labuschagné (ankel).
Fixtures:
23-02: Sharks (Bloemfontein). 02-03: Chiefs (weg, plek onseker). 09-03: Highlanders (Dunedin). 15-03: Waratahs (Sydney). 23-03: Force (Perth). 30-03: Rebels (Bloemfontein). 06-04: Stormers (Bloemfontein). 13-04: Bulls (Pretoria). 20-04: Sharks (Durban). 27-04: Kings (Bloemfontein). 10-05: Hurricanes (Bloemfontein). 18-05: Reds (Bloemfontein). 25-05: Kings (Port Elizabeth). 01-06: Bulls (Bloemfontein). 29-06: Stormers (Kaapstad). 06-07: Blues (Bloemfontein).
Southern Kings:
Squad (Extended):
Rynier Bernardo, David Bulbring, Boetie Britz, Kevin Buys, Charl du Plessis, Cornell du Preez, Armand du Preez, Jacques Engelbrecht, Jaco Engels, Schalk Ferreira, Samora Fihlani, Hannes Franklin, Ross Geldenhuys, Lizo Gqoboka, Tomas Leonardi, Bandise Maku, Thabo Mamojele, Edgar Marutlulle, Mpho Mbiyozo, Darron Nell, Devin Oosthuizen, Steven Sykes, Wimpie van der Walt, Wayne van Heerden, Luke Watson, Demetri Catrakilis, Ronnie Cooke, Ntabeni Dukisa, Wesley Dunlop, Burton Francis, Shane Gates, Siyanda Grey, Johan Herbst, Michael Killian, Tiger Mangweni, SP Marais, Scott Mathie, Waylon Murray, Norman Nelson, Hadleigh Parkes, Sergeal Petersen, Marcello Sampson, Siviwe Soyizwapi, Wayne Stevens, Mzwandile Stick, Andries Strauss, Scott van Breda, Elric van Vuuren, Shaun Venter, Nicolas Vergallo, George Whitehead

Fixture List:
23-02: Force (Port Elizabeth). 09-03: Sharks (Port Elizabeth). 15-03: Chiefs (Port Elizabeth). 23-03: Crusaders (Christchurch). 30-03: Hurricanes (weg, plek onseker). 05-04: Brumbies (Canberra). 13-04: Rebels (Melbourne). 20-04: Bulls (Port Elizabeth). 27-04: Cheetahs (Bloemfontein). 04-05: Waratahs (Port Elizabeth). 11-05: Highlanders (Port Elizabeth). 25-05: Cheetahs (Port Elizabeth). 01-06: Stormers (Kaapstad). 29-06: Bulls (Pretoria). 06-07: Stormers (Port Elizabeth). 13-07: Sharks (Durban).



Starting XVs
Stormers:
Taute, Habana, JdJ, JdV, Aplon, Jantjies, Duvenhage, Vermeulen, Kolisi, Schalk, Bekker, Etsebeth, Cilliers, Liebenberg, Ginga
Sharks:
Ludik, JPP, Jordaan, Steyn, Mvovo, Lambie, Reinach, Kankowski, Alberts, Coetzee, Bresler, vdMerwe, Jannie, Battleship, Beast
Bulls:
Kirschner, Basson, JJ, Meisiekind, Mapoe, MoerNaai, Hougaard, Spies, Potgieter, Stegmann, Kruger, Klein Flippie, Kruger, Chilliboy, Greyling
Cheetahs:
Daniller, Rhule, Ebersohn, Sadie, Willie, Goosen, Pretorius, Vermeulen, Karemaker, Brussouw, Ligtoring, Muller, Oosthuizen, Strauss, Oosthuizen
Southern Kings:
Parkes, Killian, Murray, Strauss, Nelson, Catrakillis, Vergallo, Watson, Leaonardi, Mbiyozo, Nel, Sykes, Buys, Maku, Engels

 

[PaarlBok]

Sport24

The Stormers’ brains trust continue to play a waiting game in terms of who will captain the side in the 2013 Super Rugby season.
Head coach Allister Coetzee held a media briefing at Newlands on Wednesday, shedding some light on plans for the new campaign by the SA conference winners from last season, but the big “Jean de Villiers v Schalk Burger” dilemma remains on hold.
Last year, abrasive Springbok loose forward Burger was the designated captain but suffered a knee injury early in the year which has ruled him out of all rugby since then.
But he is firmly on the mend and it appears as if he will be ready for the start of the 2013 programme.
In his absence, fellow Newlands veteran De Villiers comfortably assumed the reins and the blond midfielder also captained the Boks throughout the Test season - he has had a ringing endorsement from national coach Heyneke Meyer for keeping the mantle next year.
“I’m on holiday,” Coetzee joked as he faced the media corps and was quickly asked for his captaincy plans. “I’ve got to think about these things.
“Look, we’ve already had a planning session with Schalk, and obviously Jean (on the successful Bok end-of-year tour at the time) wasn’t there.
“I will speak to both of them and the management and senior players, and then make my decision; it is still way too early.
“Schalk has been part of our (pre-season) planning - he’s part of the leadership team and will always be there.”
Asked whether De Villiers’s anticipated retention of the Bok leadership would affect his own intentions, Coetzee said: “No, I am happy if Jean gets the (Bok) nod, you know. I think it’s probably the right thing to do; he’s done an outstanding job this year.
“Our situation is obviously completely different being a franchise set-up.”
He admitted the Stormers had a “tough start” with away derbies against the Bulls and Sharks, followed by their first home game against defending champions the Chiefs.
They intend playing pre-season friendlies against neighbours Boland - the now customary away one - and also a likely fellow-Super Rugby side yet to be decided.
Coetzee revealed that hooker Tiaan Liebenberg and prop Deon Carstens would probably not rejoin the squad’s plans until mid-February, while they rehabilitate from injuries, and that promising centre Marcel Brache, who has had a neck operation, may be sidelined for five or six months yet.
“The players who toured (Ireland the UK) with the Boks have a mandatory four-week rest now.
“I will try to keep their conditioning the same as last year; it is important they have a proper conditioning phase and if Jean or Duane (Vermeulen) or Eben (Etzebeth) needs until January 14 to start work with us, that is (in order).”
Tough utility forward Rynhardt Elstadt, who had several injury setbacks last season, is also encouragingly on the mend.
“We had to hold Rynhardt back; he wasn’t supposed to gym (so soon) and we had to explain the programme to him again!”
Meanwhile it appears versatile front-ranker JC Kritzinger, who has been wretchedly plagued by serious knee and other injuries, will be released to get back into studies on a full-time basis.

 

[REDinCPT]

sad to see no juan smith in any of those squads. looks like he'll be heading to france

 

[PaarlBok]

sad to see no juan smith in any of those squads. looks like he'll be heading to france

The Tin Ears still try to get him on board. Cant believe he'll want to go to France, link?

 

[REDinCPT]

The Tin Ears still try to get him on board. Cant believe he'll want to go to France, link?

bayonne apparently, nothing confirmed

http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/Juan-Smith-set-for-French-stint-20120926

 

[PaarlBok]

bayonne apparently, nothing confirmed

http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/Juan-Smith-set-for-French-stint-20120926

Oh that will be a surprise if he do go. Watch out for Karemarker this year. nearly tired because of an eye illness but on the comeback.

 

[Ruggo]

I would really love to see the Cheetahs have a bit more success this year. I respect how they are not afraid to think outside the square.

 

[PiXeL_Ninja]

Apparently Habana has jump ship.. So has Kruger, which is quite a loss considering Bekker is so injury prone..

 

[RoffsChoice]

I would really love to see the Cheetahs have a bit more success this year. I respect how they are not afraid to think outside the square.

Change the competition to touch rugby with contested breakdowns. They'll win for sure.

 

[SuperGrover]

Kenyan forward Daniel Adongo has joined the Southern Kings for the duration of the Super Rugby season.

He has previously been involved in the SA system with both the Sharks and the Bulls, although he didn't play any Super Rugby. The Bulls released him after six months to play with Counties Manukau in the ITM Cup.

http://planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,16024_8377088,00.html
http://www.rugby365.com/article/51358-adongo-s-bok-v-ab-poser

 

[PaarlBok]

Duvenhage to France
http://www.lindependant.fr/2012/12/28/l-usap-attrape-duvenage,1714320.php

 

[Sidbarret]

Plagerising myself from another site.

The Sharks and the Stormers are going to be very very strong in 2013.
The sharks have recruited well and have couple of players coming through in the positions they were weak in 2012.
The Stormers have benefited from the demise of the Lions, snaring their three best players in Taute, Jantjes and Cilliers. Added to that is a young but fast maturing forward pack, they should start as one of the favourites to be overall winners.
There seems to be something wrong at the Bulls and I expect them to struggle and finish somewhere around mid-table. Ludeke will have to start making some big decisions with regards to blooding some of the young talent they have been stockpiling over the last three or four years.
As you said the Cheetahs lost five or so players from the starting pack of forwards. The loss is somewhat compensated for by the fact that none of their losses were really that impressive (with the possible exception of Ashley Johnson). A couple of injuries to their star players and things might get pretty ugly for them. It is not outside of the realms of possibility that they could be scrapping out with the Kings at the bottom of the South African conference and the overall table.
The kings have been dealt a bum deal by SARU by only guaranteeing them Super rugby for one year. Its made it almost impossible for them to recruit quality players away from the settled unions and makes investment into youth players redundant. The best they can hope for is for the Cheetahs crash and burn and for couple home wins against the weakest of the Australian teams. Seems unlikely though.

 

[Blue]

Plagerising myself from another site.

The Sharks and the Stormers are going to be very very strong in 2013.

I read that and my first reaction was: "now where have I heard that before?" but I think you're right. Both look to have stronger squads.

Problem for the Stormers isn't players. It's attack coaching, or lack thereof. The have great defence and grind opponents down. But if they fall behind they are stuffed because their attack is stale. Can't see how they will fix it because they have the same coaches?

Sharks problems? Consistency and self belief. Rarely do they switch on for two important matches in a row and they don't seem to believe they can win when it matters. Can look like a bunch of schoolboys the week after looking.

Bulls: Fucked. Mid table will be an achievement. From the CC season it has been confirmed that Ludeke is not a good coach. Losing Juandre halfway through the year will not help. He will persist with M Steyn nd the fucktarded up and unders.
Cheetahs: Same old same old. Only a couple of injuries from the crapper.
Kings: Guaranteed embarrassment in an entertaining sort of way.

 

[Sidbarret]

I read that and my first reaction was: "now where have I heard that before?" but I think you're right. Both look to have stronger squads.

You've been reading too much of PB's posts.

Despite finishing second, second and first on the log, I can't remember a season where good results have been expected of the Stormers. Ditto the sharks.

Problem for the Stormers isn't players. It's attack coaching, or lack thereof. The have great defence and grind opponents down. But if they fall behind they are stuffed because their attack is stale. Can't see how they will fix it because they have the same coaches?

I am no great fan of Fleck either, but I think we should see some more adventure from the Stormers this season. Cattle wise they weren't that great either. They played the entire season in 2012 with Bekker being the only capped player amongst the forwards and only Habana and De Villiers being springbok regulars. The youngsters coming through and the acquisitions from the Lions will definitely improve the quality of their squad.

They did change their attacking shape during the Currie Cup last season, Jantjes and Taute are major upgrades attack wise and results over the last couple of season should give the team the necessary belief to try more things.

Sharks problems? Consistency and self belief. Rarely do they switch on for two important matches in a row and they don't seem to believe they can win when it matters. Can look like a bunch of schoolboys the week after looking.

The Sharks were poor in the first half of the 2012 season, especially losing their shape after a couple of phases. That problem seems to have been fixed during the rest of the season.

They have done a good job of strengthening the squad in positions where they were weak, especially the second row and midfield with Franco van der Merwe and F Steyn joining and Bresler and Jordaan graduating from the academy.

Bulls: Fucked. Mid table will be an achievement. From the CC season it has been confirmed that Ludeke is not a good coach. Losing Juandre halfway through the year will not help. He will persist with M Steyn nd the fucktarded up and unders.

If I was going to make excuses for the Bulls, which I won't, I would have pointed out that the CC team was coached by Pine Pienaar and that they were absolutely gutted by Springbok call-ups during the CC last season.

But you are right, the bulls seem to be a team in transition and their "success" in super rugby in 2012 might have hurt that process.

The bulls pack is simply not good enough to play the style of play they have been using since 2002. There isn't a single starting Springbok in their pack.

Another problem seems to be their youth structure. Over the last couple of years the Bulls have recruited a massive number of schoolboy stars and have dominated selections for the SA u20 squad, but very few of these players have been able to break into the first team. Take the midfield, they have William Small-Smith, Francois Venter, Jan Serfontein and Dries van Rensburg who were all team mates of Paul Jordaan at Grey College and who were all rated higher than Jordaan. Couple of years down the line and Jordaan is on the cusp of playing for the Springboks while the most people on this board will be going "who are these other guys?".

Cheetahs: Same old same old. Only a couple of injuries from the crapper.

It really can go either way. In Oosthuizen, Strauss, Juan Smith, Brussouw and Goosen they have some big stars and much of their first team supporting cast isn't half bad either. Unfortunately they are the worst coached team in the competition and have zero depth. Worst of all, there doesn't seem to be any desire from the admins to fix the obvious problems in the union.

Prediction - some memorable wins mixed in with far more forgettable losses.

Kings: Guaranteed embarrassment in an entertaining sort of way.

As I said, SARU screwed the pooch with the way they have brought the Kings into Super Rugby.

First off, I fully agree that the Lions needed to go. The whole organisation there is complete and utter mess, grassroots all the way to super rugby squad. Rugby in Jo'burg needs a complete overall and the only way left is to break it all down and start over. SANZAR money was simply propping up a failed union there. But if there is one legacy from the Louis Luyt era it is that the Lions Union knows how to play politics.

SANZAR expansion in Australia has at best been a limited success, but at least the ARU tried the best to get the Force and the Rebels off the ground through throwing money and special dispensations their way. The Kings on the other hand have been given one season to prove themselves in the toughest provincial competition in the world, with no help from SARU.

The EP union was complete basket case in the 90's and first half of 00's and dropped dropped to embarrassing level, but much have been righted over last couple of season with the money Oasis has pumped in there. I would wager that the Lions and Cheetahs would be just as useless today if they were not involved in Super rugby over the decade and half.

As for 2013, well they have about dozen super rugby quality players in the squad and what sounds like a handy coaching team. Sadly that is not enough. Will they be as bad as the Lions in 2010, in my opinion the worst team to play super rugby, maybe, but I doubt it.

 

[PaarlBok]

You've been reading too much of PB's posts.

Why? Think you both expect way to less from the Brutes and have them wrong. They have some brilliant youngsters like the Stormers coming through. Myself will be disappointed if the Stormers dont go all the way in 2013. They are a much improved sqaud from 2012 and this time they have confidense after the decade of dust have been broken in 2012. Schalk Burger alone will make a massive differense to them in 2013.

 

[PaarlBok]

The Sharks only needs to lose Battleship and they'r fucked, he will only be able to play much later in the season. Frans Steyn may make a differense but not that much.

 

[PaarlBok]

The DHL Stormers pre-season camp squad:
Gio Aplon
Ederies Arendse
Don Armand
Andries Bekker
Ruan Botha
Schalk Burger
Nizaam Carr
Deon Carstens
Patric Cilliers
Kurt Coleman
Damian de Allende
Jean de Villiers
Juan de Jongh
Dewaldt Duvenage
Rynhardt Elstadt
Eben Etzebeth
Deon Fourie
Nic Groom
Bryan Habana
Brok Harris
Pat Howard
Elton Jantjies
Steven Kitshoff
Berton Klaasen
Siya Kolisi
Tiaan Liebenberg
Frans Malherbe
Sikumbuzo (Skuna) Notshe
Joe Pietersen
Michael Rhodes
Louis Schreuder
De Kock Steenkamp
Tim Swiel
Jaco Taute
Gerhard van den Heever
Duane Vermeulen
Not considered because of injury:
JP du Plessis
Scarra Ntubeni
Gary van Aswegen
Still in Japan:
Peter Grant
Pre-season fixtures (To be confirmed):
February 2: v Cheetahs (Bloemfontein)
February 9: v Boland Cavaliers (Wellington)

 

[Blue]

Why? Think you both expect way to less from the Brutes and have them wrong. They have some brilliant youngsters like the Stormers coming through. Myself will be disappointed if the Stormers dont go all the way in 2013. They are a much improved sqaud from 2012 and this time they have confidense after the decade of dust have been broken in 2012. Schalk Burger alone will make a massive differense to them in 2013.

who will be the back row with Burger?

 

[Sidbarret]

who will be the back row with Burger?

Siya Kolisi and Duane Vermeulen backed up by Micheal Rhodes, Nizaam Carr, Rynhardt Elstadt and Deon Fourie.

I must say I am pretty happy with that.

 

[PaarlBok]

Stormers injury update
Stormers site

DHL Stormers injury report - After the first week of pre-season training in 2013:
Players back from injury:
Rynhardt Elstadt (flank - chest)
Siya Kolisi (flank - thumb)
Nizaam Carr (No.8 - knee)
Bryan Habana (wing - knee)
Set to return to full training next week:
Andries Bekker (lock - toe)
Schalk Burger (flank - knee)
Dewaldt Duvenage (scrumhalf - broken leg)
Nic Groom (scrumhalf - knee)
Other injury news:
- Prop Deon Carstens (neck) - should be ready for action in Round One of the Super Rugby competition.
- Hooker Tiaan Liebenberg (back) - he will attend the camp in Hermanus and do fitness and line-out throwing but he cannot take contact.
- Hooker Scarra Ntubeni (shoulder) - somebody fell on him and he landed awkwardly at training this week. He will be re-assessed after four weeks but will hopefully not require surgery.
- Flyhalf Gary van Aswegen (ankle) - will be conservative with his return which should be around mid-February.
- Centre JP du Plessis (back) - his injury flared up and he will take it easy over the next four weeks but could be out for a while longer. He will be re-assessed after four weeks.
- Centre Marcel Brache (neck) - still out for some time after undergoing a neck operation late last year.