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SUPER RUGBY PREVIEW 2018 – TEAM BY TEAM: In the first instalment of our 15-part build-up to the Super Rugby season, we start with the South African Conference and look at the Lions.
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There is an air of uncertainty surrounding a Lions team that reached the Final the last two years.
It is the change in the coaching ranks that has brought that uncertainty.
Yes, there are a number of key players who also departed – most notably Ruan Ackermann (to Gloucester), Francois de Klerk (Sale), Armand van der Merwe (Sharks) and Julian Redelinghuys (retired).
However, the departure of Johan Ackermann (now the Gloucester coach) and JP Ferreira (Munster) has the cynics suggesting the Lions’ dominance of the South African Super Rugby scene is over.
The Lions are on a 17-match winning streak against SA franchises – their last defeat a 33-35 loss to the Bulls in May 2015.
Zacharia Francois de Bruin will finally step out of the shadow of Ackermann, after having been his trusted sidekick since 2013.
The man, affectionately known as Swys, readily admits repeating the feats of 2016 and 2017 will be a tall order.
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“No doubt, the competition will be much tougher – it will be a much bigger challenge, as it will be strength-versus-strength,” De Bruin said.
De Bruin’s coaching pedigree should leave no doubt that he can do the job, despite the skepticism of the many naysayers.
There will be challenges, but with the bulk of the squad from the last two years in place, there is no reason why they should not be in the running for top spot in the conference – or at least reach the playoffs.
The key areas for the Lions, where they are a bit thin in terms of resources, are scrumhalf and flyhalf.
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De Klerk’s departure could thrust young Marco Jansen van Vuren into the spotlight – as back-up to Springbok Ross Cronje and Dillon Smit.
The back-up to Springbok Elton Jantjies at flyhalf will be Andries Coetzee and Shaun Reynolds, but there is also the talented young Ashlon Davids.
Talent there is aplenty. Experience at Super Rugby level, not so much.
Tighthead prop could also be an issue for the Lions, who pride themselves on their powerful scrummaging.
For the rest, they have enough stock to cope with the rigours of Super Rugby.
2018 Predictions
South African Conference Placing: First
Player of the Year: Malcolm Marx
Rookie of the Year: Hacjivah Dayimani
Super Rugby Placing: Second
History
Best finish: Champions in 1993 (Some purists dismiss their Super 10 title as being in the amateur era. They were runners-up in 2016 and 17)
Worst finish: Fifteenth in 2012
Squad Movements
In: Christiaan Meyer (Griquas), Khwezi Mona (Pumas).
Out: Ruan Ackermann (Gloucester), Fabian Booysen (released), Francois de Klerk (Sale), Jacques Nel (Kings), Armand van der Merwe (Sharks), Jaco van der Walt (Edinburgh), Hencus van Wyk (Munakata Sanix Blues), Julian Redelinghuys (retired), Anthony Volmink (Kings).
Squad (provisional): Justin Ackerman, Ruan Dreyer, Corné Fourie, Johannes Jonker, Sti Sithole, Dylan Smith, Jacques van Rooyen, Robbie Coetzee, Malcolm Marx, Lourens Erasmus, Andries Ferreira, Robert Kruger, Franco Mostert, Marvin Orie, Cyle Brink, Hacjivah Dayimani, Jaco Kriel, Albertus Smith, Warren Whiteley, Ross Cronjé, Dillon Smit, Andries Coetzee, Elton Jantjies, Shaun Reynolds, Christiaan Meyer, Khwezi Mona, Rohan Janse van Rensburg, Lionel Mapoe, Howard Mnisi, Harold Vorster, Ruan Combrinck, Courtnall Skosan, Madosh Tambwe, Sylvian Mahuza’, Marco Jansen van Vuren.
By Jan de Koning
@king365ed
@rugby365com
Comments on RugbyPass
One was beginning to wonder if he would even rekindle his test career after he declined playing after WR changed their eligibility rules. Despite his late decision he still could have changed Samoa’s fortunes at the WC if he was fit.
2 Go to commentsHe never stops whinging. No wonder he is always chasing the next big dream.
2 Go to commentsI always enjoy a good scrum based article. Thanks, Nick. The Hurricanes are looking more and more the team to beat down here in Australasia. They are a very well balanced team. And though there are far fewer scrums in the game these days, destructive power in that area is a serious weapon, especially an attacking scrum within in the red zone. Aumua looked very good as a young first year player, but then seemed to fade. He sure is back now right in the picture for the AB’s. And I would judge that Taukei’aho is in a bit of a slump currently. Watching him at Suncorp a few weeks ago, I thought he was not as dominant in the game as I would have expected. I am going to raise an issue in that scrum at around the 13 min mark. I see a high level of danger there for the TH lifted off the ground. He is trapped between the opposition LH and his own powerful SR. His neck is being put under potentially dangerous pressure. The LH has, in law , no right to use his superior scrummaging skill….getting his head right in on the breastbone of the TH…..to force him up and off the ground. Had the TH popped out of the scrum, head up and free, there is no danger, that is a clear penalty to the dominant scrum. The law is quite clear on this issue: Law 37 Dangerous play and restricted practices in a scrum. C:Intentionally lifting an opponent off their feet or forcing them upwards out of the scrum. Sanction: Penalty. Few ,if any, referees seem to be aware of this law, and/or the dangers of the situation. Matthew Carly, refereeing Clermont v Munster in 2021, penalised the Munster scrum, when LH Wycherly was lifted very high, and in my view very dangerously, by TH Slimani. Lifting was coached in the late ‘60’s/70’s. Both Lions props, Ray McLouglin, and “Mighty Mouse” McLauchlan, were expert and highly successful at this technique. I have seen a photo, which I can’t find online atm, of MM with a NZ TH(not an AB) on his head, MM standing upright as the scrum disintegrates.
3 Go to commentsHey. Stay home and play for Mooloo.
1 Go to commentsTighthead was always going to be our weakness this year with Ryan going home to Ireland and the Cashed Up Blues taking a third All Black prop from us - nobody else in SR does that. Numia is the exciting one. He used to be a lightweight but he's really improved. Do you have stats on the All Black hookers’ lineouts for the game? I seem to remember a few misses.
3 Go to commentsFergus Burke isn't tier 1 player quality…but guess what, he'll be playing amongst them for Saracens…. all going well and Steve Borthwick is still the head coach, England...Scott Robertson’s hint of amending NZRU’s offshore AB eligibility clause, would mean that players like Josh Moorby who show potential might get a call…
4 Go to commentsThe movement of quality players back to SA is remarkable.
2 Go to commentsInteresting article, Nic. Am enjoying seeing the Rebels doing well, partly just to spite those who are working to wipe them off the face of the Australian rugby planet. But it is also good to see a team with somany good players beginning fire. LSL has benefitted so much from his move up to Northampton for the one year. I wonder why he did not stay on for another year. Does he now looks north and see his teammates of last year now doing so well, and have some regrets.
49 Go to comments“Over 80% of the World Cup squad are over 30” No it isn’t lol
2 Go to commentsTyrel Lomax the best AB prop since Carl Hayman. Absolutely destroyed the Boks in RWC Final and is monstering allcomers in Super this season. Should be a monster battle vs touring Poms, always deliver a power pack.
3 Go to commentsEye gouging seems like such a strong term for what can only be described as a poke in the eye. When I think of eye gouging I think of someone trying to intentionally pop someone’s eyeball out. it’s like calling a high-tackle attempted decapitation.
3 Go to commentsGreat article. No insights to add, just wanted to say that. :)
1 Go to commentsLeinster are going to win the world cup.
13 Go to commentsSuper Rugby desperately needs to lose at least 2, but up to 4 teams. Rebels quietly going bankrupt would have made that a bit easier. Teams like the Rebels and Force serve only to weaken Australian Rugby and Super Rugby more widely. In 13 years in the comp the Rebels are yet to win more games than they lose in a season, have never finished in the top half of the competition, and have come dead last a number of times. The Western Force, barring a brief stint of mediocrity under John Mitchell from 2007-2009 have been even worse. Sadly it’s hard to see a future for Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby. Likewise I think the writing is on the wall for the Highlanders, it’s hard to see how NZ rugby can continue to support 5 SR teams, and population distribution suggests one team in the south island would make the most sense.
49 Go to commentsNice that Connor Evans is happy to stay on here, that JD Schikerling is returning and Steven Kitshoff. Dobbo is careful to bring back just anybody but having a new financial lease of life, it has made the Stormers a more attractive club. On top of being good quality, having the financial backing helps a lot
1 Go to commentsEngland-qualified too, I believe.
1 Go to commentsThis might turn out to be emblematic of a real issue in Irish rugby. Ireland have one of the best -if not the best - senior sides in the world, and one of the best under 20s sides as well, but don’t seem to be giving graduating under20s players many opportunities to break through into URC starting lineups. There is a risk that a lot of the junior talent they are developing will either be wasted, or lost to other nations.
1 Go to commentsYou ask good questions, Nick. The group who have put together the proposal to play out of Tarneit and participate in the growing of the ground’s capacity are not a bunch of white knights who have been dragged in post-crisis; they were around whilst the Rebels accummulated $23m in debt. Why do we come up with ideas that might make the franchise affordable after it’s broke and not when it might have prevented the trainwreck this offseason was? As for Gordon/Kellaway v Lolesio/Wright, they are both good options. I think the former are better rugby players but the goal kicking of Noah may be decisive when Schmiddy makes his choices. I know Harry Jones has the hots for Edmed but I think it’s one of his few poor choices and he and Jorgensen aren’t close to the other pairs. By coincidence, the wife and I went into town over the weekend to watch Brian Cox and Patricia Clarkson in Long Day’s Journey into Night. Beautifully acted but it was 3.5 hours in the chair and very hard work. Like the Rebels, there were only small bursts of joy to go with a lot of bad news and a depressing story line. In the end, I was hoping it would end and I could give my sore butt a break. Again, familiar.
49 Go to commentsGood decision, very good player but not international quality. But so was Jamison Gibson Park …..
4 Go to commentsLoose forwards always look good going forward and winning. It’s the same loose forwards for the Crusaders and the Canes this year as last year. Too much of the shiny new things getting noticed here while older consistent ones getting bagged. It’s early days. Calm the farm.
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