It's less than a week to go until the 2017 Super Rugby season kicks off. Here, in part one of a two-part series, rugby writer Jacques van der Westhuyzen analyses the strengths and weaknesses of the three inland teams from South Africa – the Bulls, Cheetahs and Lions.
What makes them dangerous
Bulls
The best news in 2017 is that attacking No 10 Handre Pollard is fit and raring to go and we’ve seen what he’s capable of at international level. He’ll bring a different dimension to an exciting back division that has shown it can score plenty of tries.
Also, many of the young Bulls players from a year ago are now more experienced and battle-hardened and that will give them more steel across the park. Classy hooker Adriaan Strauss, now free of the Bok captaincy, may just find his best form – and if he’s leading from the front, his teammates will follow.
Cheetahs
The big thing with the Cheetahs is that they’re often under-estimated and have the ability to pull off the big win, no matter the opponents. Also, having gone 10 games last season in the Currie Cup to win the title, they’ll go into this year’s competition with plenty of confidence.
And, like the Bulls, many of the youngsters who enjoyed Super Rugby for the first time a year ago will be better off a year on. They’ve got hard workers up front and a blistering backline, so keep an eye on Neil Marais, Francois Venter, Raymond Rhule and Sergeal Petersen.
Lions
Johan Ackermann’s men have become a tight-knit unit over the last four years and the players and coaches know each other extremely well now. They’re not only a settled team, with good depth in most positions, but they’ve also learnt what is required to win against historically “unbeatable” opposition.
They have turned Ellis Park into a fortress, fear no one and have a quality scrum, mobile loose-forwards and a backline that is as good as anything that comes out of New Zealand. Crucially, they played in the final last year.
What makes them vulnerable
Bulls
It appears fans are pinning much of their hope on Pollard, but while he is fit again, he has still got it all to do to get back into match-winning form. And sadly, if we’re honest, he doesn’t have a great scrumhalf on his inside, something the Bulls have battled with ever since Francois Hougaard moved on.
They’re also a team still trying to find themselves under Nollis Marais – that is the shift in approach to be more expansive. It’ll also be interesting to see how they face up against New Zealand opposition after skipping the Kiwi sides a year ago.
Cheetahs
Where does one start? There are, sadly, vulnerabilities all over the place. They may be Currie Cup champions, but Super Rugby is a completely different beast. It requires week-in and week-out stamina, strength and desire and the Cheetahs showed none of that a year ago. They’ll put out a good first XV, but their depth will be tested at certain times and so will their ability to string a sequence of wins together. They’ve never been the strongest defensively so they’ll be under pressure here and they’ll be up against the tough New Zealand teams, too, after playing the Aussies a year ago.
Lions
Their biggest challenge is the burden of expectation. They were an unknown force last year, possibly taken a little lightly by some, but that won’t be the case this season. They’ll have a target on their back from the off so they’re going to have to guard against complacency big time – if they don’t work as hard for each other as they did last year, they’ll get a hiding.
Staying motivated, encouraged and hungry will be a challenge at times and getting the Bok players, who were a shadow of themselves in national colours in 2016, up to speed and into form quickly will be essential.
Major signings and losses
Bulls
Obviously the big acquisition is Springbok lock Lood de Jager, who’ll bring fire, pace and skill to an already well-stocked second row pool of players. Wing Johnny Kotze brings depth to the wing positions while the return of Jacques Potgieter strengthens an already impressive back-row collection, and let’s not forget he can play lock, too. Edgar Marutlulle will also add depth at hooker. The Bulls, though, will feel the loss of Lappies Labuschagne, while there’s also no Werner Kruger anymore or Marcel van der Merwe, Bandise Maku and Callie Visagie. Grant Hattingh has also moved on, as has Bjorn Basson.
Cheetahs
The Bulls’ gain is the Cheetahs’ loss the Bloemfontein team are going to miss the grafter in Lood de Jager big time. Fortunately though, unlike seasons past, they haven’t had to say goodbye to too many players and have actually gained more with several promising men joining in the off-season. Prop Tom Botha, from the Kings, will boost the front row stocks significantly while Griquas utility back Clinton Swart will give coach Franco Smith more options out wide. Also, former SA U20 captain and loose forward Junior Pokomela will be in line to make a name for himself over the course of the season.
Lions
While there is decent enough back-up, Julian Redelinghuys’s absence will be hard-felt by the Lions as will the retirement of flank Warwick Tecklenburg. Both men did an exceptional job last season so filling their boots will be a tough job. Ruan Combrinck will also only be back in April and loosehead prop Dylan Smith will also miss the start. The good news is they have signed a number of promising youngsters and also have props Sti Sithole (Kings), Hencus van Wyk (Bulls) and Johannes Jonker (Border) on their books. Added to that, former Bulls lock Marvin Orie is now a Lion.
Where will they finish?
Bulls
It’s hard to say what the Bulls will do this season. They finished fourth among the local teams a year ago, so will hope for a better showing this time; only problem is they have a tougher task because they’re up against the Kiwi teams. I’m tipping them to register nine wins and top their conference.
Cheetahs
They’ll surprise a few teams, especially at home, but they’ll lack in consistency. Many of their players will be up against the New Zealand teams for the first time. They should win more than the four they managed last year, but only just, and they’ll again finish third in their conference.
Lions
Johan Ackermann’s men are again South Africa’s best bet at going all the way. They’ve got strength in depth, play the right kind of rugby and now know what is required to come out on top. Making a good start, as they did a year ago, will be crucial to building confidence. They’ve turned Ellis Park into a fortress and this year face the Aussie teams, rather than the New Zealanders. They’ll top their conference with 10 wins.
* See the Sunday Argus for part two in this series when Mike Greenaway looks at the three coastal teams – the Kings, Sharks and local side the Stormers.