SOUTH AFRICAN CONFERENCE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 24
CELL C NATAL COASTAL
SHARKS
Last season: Fourth in conference, eighth overall Coach: Jake White Homeground: Kings Park, Durban Website: www.sharksrugby.co.za The Sharks were disappointing last year, finishing eighth in the competition and only fourth in the South African conference. But the news from Durban is all positive thanks to the recruitment from the Brumbies of master coach Jake White. Their new director of rugby has made it clear from the outset he wants the Sharks to win the Super Rugby title for the first time, which no doubt will help him succeed Heyneke Meyer as Springboks coach in 2016. With Butch James retiring and Franco van der Merwe returning to the Lions, the Sharks have bolstered their second-row ranks with Etienne Oosthuizen and Marco Wentzel, who join a high
GOLDEN
LIONS
Last season: New to Super Rugby 2014 Coach: Johan Ackermann Homeground: Ellis Park Website: www.lionsrugby.co.za At the end of the 2013 Super Rugby season, the Lions won the fifth place conference play-offs against the Southern Kings to gain promotion for their second season overall in Super Rugby after debuting in 2011. They have signed three outstanding players in Schalk van der Merwe from the Cheetahs, Elton Jantjies from the Stormers and Franco van der Merwe from the Sharks. Jantjies made his Super Rugby debut in 2011 for the Lions before joining the Stormers for the 2013 season on a loan deal. The brilliant attacking first-five with a golden boot made his test debut for South Africa in 2012 and at
quality squad packed with internationals, including new captain Bismarck du Plessis, Willem Alberts, Ryan Kankowski, Tendai Mtawarira, Patrick Lambie and François Steyn. White has stated Lambie will play at 10 and Steyn at 12, which will give the Sharks one of the best inside-back combinations in the competition, but arguably their real strength lies in the loose forwards. With so much depth, last year’s captain Keegan Daniel is not certain of a place, with Kankowski’s return from Japan, Alberts back in form and Jean Deysel named as one of the vice-captains. The Sharks should get a flyer with seven of their first nine games at the intimidating arena of Kings Park, where the Durban crowd may give them the boost they need to get through the early rounds. A play-off spot seems most likely for the Sharks this year but the White-magic could well bring some long awaited success to the Durban faithful. the age of 23 has the best years of his rugby career ahead of him. Lions head coach Johan Ackermann is content with the depth to his squad ahead of their return to Super Rugby this season. Willie Wepener, Derick Minnie and Lionel Mapoe, Ruan Combrinck and Dylan Des Fountain are all capable players. Clearly the biggest battle for the Lions will be continuity and consistency. They will have a strong team bond as most of their squad played together on a regular basis in last year’s Currie Cup but the step up to Super Rugby is huge. Playing against experienced international players week in and week out, plus the massive travel ordeal to New Zealand and Australia, takes time to adapt to. So expectations are not high for the Lions but they do have Ellis Park as their home ground which is a tough place to win at for away teams.
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