SA Teams S14 Title Launch!

[PaarlBok]

The S14 fewer getting hot now by the day. Always good to see the view of the experts and specially those not direct involved with the teams.

Jakes thoughts on the SA teams

Sport24.co.za

Jake: SA's Super14 contenders
Cape Town – The Stormers, Bulls and Sharks can all be among the contenders for the Super14 title.

That is the view of former Springbok coach Jake White, who predicts that these three South African teams will be engaged in a major struggle with the Crusaders, Brumbies and the Chiefs for semi-final spots.

“The Stormers have a very strong squad and a great draw. It’s probably the best draw they’ve had in years. On top of that they usually travel well. That should count in their favour,” said White.

“The Bulls have a group of senior players who know what is required to win the competition and they should again be among the contenders.”

White is also not writing off the Sharks, in spite of their pre-season losses to the Western Force and the Stormers.

“If you look at the Sharks squad, there is no reason why they should not be competitive. They’ve made good acquisitions in Willem Alberts and Louis Ludik, and should be among the top five teams. All three these teams can help one another get into the final.
“The Crusaders and Brumbies will be contenders, and I think the Chiefs also have the squad to possibly be successful.”

The Stormers and Bulls have also made important acquisitions since last year.

Apart from Jaque Fourie and Bryan Habana, the Stormers will be further boosted by their Super14-newcomers such as Anton van Zyl and Juan de Jongh.

The Bulls have Springbok hooker Gary Botha back from English club side Harlequins. Jacques-Louis Potgieter, who can play fly-half and inside centre, has also rejoined the Bulls from the Cheetahs.

White is also happy that his former Bok backline coach Allister Coetzee is getting a chance to spread his wings as a coach at the Stormers.

“Gert Smal (White’s forwards coach at the Boks) has done wonders with Ireland and Allister achieved success with Western Province. It’s nice to see that my assistant coaches are being successful,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sharks hooker Bismarck du Plessis has predicted that they will have a better Super14 campaign than critics expect.

“We will miss Juan Martin Hernandez as fly-half, but Steve Meyer may just be the physical No 10 that we need,” said Du Plessis.

“You don’t win the Super14 in January, you win it in May. I definitely think we have a semi-final in us and will be among the contenders.”

My own thoughts is that the Stormers are much better prepared and conditioned compare to previous years at this stage. The Brutes full of confidense but I am not so sure about the Sharks. They sure have the names on paper but maybe a week or two late holiday for them. They have the bad draw between the three teams and they'll need to shape up pretty quick. The Tin Ears (Cheetahs) dont look good in their warmups thus far but I still think they maybe the surprise of the year. Lions well they sure are at the bottom end of a structure.

Overall I think we have a few benefits compare to Aus & NZ teams.
1. Back are the long arm penalties. That may fit us well and the way the refs want to penalised the defending teams at rucks may fit us even better. All of this wont speed up the game, think the opposite will happen and expecting more kicks at goal compare with the ELVs the last couple of years.
2. We have a Varsity & Vodacup running at the same time of the S14. Already I saw borderline players joining the Varsity Cup and will be back when the Vodacom Cup starts. Meaning the franchises will have match sharp backup available if S14 injuries kick in.

Time for the real action to start.

 

[PaarlBok]

OK I am prepared to put my balls on the block on a weekly basis and give my weekly SA views after I throw my witch doctor bones and take my hiding or share my successe.

On second thought, no I'll rather leave it. :nta:

 

[PaarlBok]

Gags/Moses if you want me to write something for the main board at times, you know my number.