DAVID SHAPSHAK, Johannesburg | Tuesday 8.00pm.
NEW ZEALAND rugby teams the Otago Highlanders and the Wellington Hurricanes are the danger sides in the Super 12, said the captain of the most successful South African side in the competition, Sharks skipper Gary Teichmann.
Speaking at the launch of the regional tournament in Johannesburg Monday, Teichmann said they will be the teams to watch.
“Otago are going to be a tough side to play, so are the Hurricanes. New South Wales are the dark horse, they’re going to be a good side,” said Teichmann, also the Springbok captain.
Teichmann’s back row colleague and Stormers’ captain, Bobby Skinstad, agrees that Otago will be the team to watch; while Rassie Erasmus, who captains the Cats, believes Auckland and the ACT Brumbies will be dangerous.
Teichmann said the Springbok victories over the All Blacks in last year’s Tri-Nations will be good for the South African sides. “We picked up a lot of confidence, especially the players who won at Wellington. I think it will filter down. “The chances are much better for us this year.” Springbok coach Nick Mallett and South African Rugby Football Union (Sarfu) president Silas Nkanunu, said the Super 12 is like an extended trial process for Springbok caps, with a special eye on the prospective team for the World Cup later this year.
“From a South African point of view, if players perform well, they stand a good chance of getting into the Springbok side,” Mallett said.
Each team has at least three players of colour in their ranks, Sarfu CEO Rian Oberholzer said.
Meanwhile, the South African sides have been hit by injuries woes, with a further two key players will be sidelined for much of the tournament: Stormers centre/flyhalf Christian Stewart and Cat’s flyhalf Gaffie du Toit. Stewart, who was a late inclusion in the Springbok side on last year’s United Kingdom tour, has a severe neck injury.
“It is highly unlikely he will play in the Super 12 at all,” said Stormers coach Alan Solomons, who is also the Springbok’s assistant coach.
Rising star Du Toit played his first and only Test at flyhalf against Ireland mid-year before being recycled by Mallett as a fullback for the end of year mid-week side
Cats coach Andre Markgraaff, who was forced to resign as Bok coach after making racial slurs, was at odds with Mallett over where to play the mercurial youngster, with Markgraaff preferring him at number 10.
Although this situation has been avoided, this positional confrontation between the two men might still emerge over where to play Springbok flank Andre Venter.
Mallett dropped the big number seven to make room for Bobby Skinstad, bringing Venter on at lock as a second half impact player.
World Cup Springbok centre Henni le Roux has not been named in Markgraaff’s squad, apparently suffering from an upper thigh injury. “He’s still available for selection. It’s definitely not the end of the road,” Markgraaff said.
The Super 12 will be Markgraaff’s return to top flight coaching since he was sacked as Bok coach two years ago. While he has arguably the best side in the tournament on paper, he is hoping to iron out the provincialism and factions in his squad drawn together from three unions.
Mallett said: “I have tremendous respect for his ability as a coach. Andre did a fantastic job with little resources with Griquas last year (winning the Vodacom Cup and playing in the semi-finals of the Currie Cup) and I fully expect him to do the same with the Cats.”