In this series I’ll be looking at the various contenders for the 2014 Super Rugby title.
Today the South African conference. How right have I got it?
The Bulls
Position in 2013: Semi-Finalists
2014 Luck of the Draw: The Bulls have a good draw this year. They will miss playing the Reds and Crusaders whilst they will face the Blues, Chiefs and Brumbies at home.
Players to watch: Jan Serfontein, JJ Engelbrecht, Victor Matfield and Pierre Spies.
Predicted position in 2014: 14th
Despite topping the South African conference last year and having won the Super Rugby competition 3 times in the past, I don’t like the chances of the Bulls this year. At the end of the 2013 Super Rugby season 16 players left the Bulls including Morne Steyn, Wynand Olivier, Zane Kirchner, Juandre Kruger, Dewald Potgieter, Jacques Potgieter, Chiliboy Ralepelle and Wilhelm Steenkamp. This is sure to disrupt the momentum and the quality of the team. The repercussions of the mass exodus have already been revealed through the poor performance of the Blue Bulls in the Currie Cup competition. They finished 5th out of 6 teams and failed to make the play-offs. There is hope for the Bulls. The return of Pierre Spies and Victor Matfield and their lucky draw will certainly help their cause.
The Cheetahs
Position in 2013: 6th
2014 Luck of the Draw: The Cheetahs have a good draw. They will play the Chiefs, Crusaders and Brumbies at home; however, they may struggle against the Reds away.
Players to watch: Willie Le Roux, Adriaan Strauss, Johan Goosen and Heinrich Brussow.
Predicted position in 2014: Runner-Up
The Cheetahs were once the bottom dwellers of the competition but after playing some entertaining rugby they were rewarded last year with their first ever finals appearance. Players such as Willie Le Roux, Raymond Rhule and Robert Eberson have the potential to strike from anywhere making the Cheetahs another dangerous team for 2014 and a real chance to take the title.
The Lions
Position in 2013: N/A
2014 Luck of the Draw: The Lions will host the Blues, Reds and Crusaders and they will also have difficult away games against the Waratahs and Chiefs.
Players to watch: Elton Jantijies.
Predicted position in 2014: 15th
The Lions have not played in the Super Rugby competition since they were relegated at the end of the 2012 season. They return after their replacement, The Southern Kings, obtained the wooden spoon in last year’s competition. The Lions return to Super Rugby with a point to prove.
The Sharks
Position in 2013: 8th
2014 Luck of the Draw: The Sharks should win against the Highlanders and Hurricanes at home whilst they face challenging matches away against the Brumbies, Crusaders and Blues.
Players to watch: Willem Alberts, Patrick Lambie, Bismarck Du Plessis and Tendai ‘The Beast’ Mtawarira.
Predicted position in 2014: 8th
Jake White joins the coaching staff after his stint with the Brumbies. There have not been too many changes in the squad over the off season. The Sharks can be a dangerous team and certainly have the potential to win the title (they almost did in 2012). However, they failed to perform at times in 2013 and as a result finished 8th. Their attitude must change if they are going to improve in 2014.
The Stormers
Position in 2013: 7th
2014 Luck of the Draw: The Stormers have a gruelling draw. They play the Crusaders, Chiefs and Brumbies away and then the Reds and Waratahs at home.
Players to watch: Jean De Villiers, Eben Etzebeth, Schalk Burger and Duane Vermeulen.
Predicted position in 2014: 10th
History shows that successful Super Rugby be teams have had great attack. The Stormers are a strong defensive side but need to be more potent in attack if they are to have any chance of winning the title in 2014.
