In 10 years of Super 12 rugby no South African team was able to capture the southern hemisphere’s most sought-after provincial trophy. And in 2006, in an expanded competition, with two extra teams, the prospects are just as bleak.
Injuries to key players have already set the five sides back, while the increased workload on the Australasian leg of the tournament means home fixtures have become even more important than in the past.
South Africa’s best hope of reaching the semifinals, the Bulls, will start the campaign without experienced campaigners Victor Matfield, Fourie du Preez and Gary Botha. All suffered injuries in their pre-season friendlies and will slowly return to action during the campaign.
The Bulls also lost inspirational leader Anton Leonard, who retired at the end of last season. Record try-scoring centre Ettienne Botha, who died in a car accident in the latter stages of the 2005 domestic season, will also be missed.
Coach Heyneke Meyer though has good depth in his squad and while his team failed to win a fourth consecutive Currie Cup title in October, the Bulls remain a formidable outfit.
With the likes of Bakkies Botha, Pedrie Wannenburg, Jacques Cronje and exciting 19-year-old hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle in the pack and the attacking flair of Bryan Habana on the wing and Johan Roets at fullback and the Bulls will again be a force.
Also, and probably most importantly, the Bulls are a team that do not easily lose at home.
South Africa’s new team in the competition, the Central Cheetahs, beat the Bulls in the Currie Cup final last year and, after years of being affiliated with the Cats, will be out to prove they can stand alone in the competition.
They’re an unpredictable bunch with an astute coach in Rassie Erasmus and could just be the surprise package of the competition. They have a solid pack including the likes of Os du Randt, Ollie le Roux and Juan Smith, while Willem de Waal and surprise Bok tourist at the end of 2005 Meyer Bosman will be fighting it out for the number 10 jersey.
The Sharks have plenty to do after a disastrous 2005, but the return to fitness of AJ Venter will boost the pack, while Percy Montgomery’s inclusion at flyhalf could just be the spark needed to boost a promising back division.
And with former All Black Tony Brown set to join later on and Butch James close to returning after injury, coach Dick Muir’s men may just come good. Springbok captain John Smit, however, will miss the first half of the campaign through injury.
The Cats will be without flyhalf Andre Pretorius in the early stages after undergoing ankle surgery, but Boks Jannes Labuschagne and Ashwin Willemse are back after long-term injuries. Coach Frans Ludeke has good depth in his squad with the backline, in particular, full of experienced, and exciting, Bok players.
Much is expected of the Stormers, but without a quality flyhalf and a powerful tight five, little will be seen of the exciting back division. Schalk Burger will carry a big load up front, while the backs will be marshalled by the dynamic Jean de Villiers.
South Africa’s teams again face an uphill battle. But a motivating factor, which may just bring out the best in the players, will be the knowledge that South Africa’s last placed team on the log at the end of the series will be relegated to make way for the Southern Spears in 2007. – AFP
