Southern extravaganza

Southern extravaganza

15 Dec 2008

Three of South Africa’s Super 14 franchises should feel confident about a top-six finish in the coming 2009 tournament.

The SA Rugby magazine team analyse all 14 sides and their prospects for the new season, and how various arrivals and departures will affect the dynamic of the respective squads. The Sharks are looking strong while the Stormers are set to build on their solid 2008 performance. The Bulls cannot be discounted, but unfortunately it looks as if the Lions and Cheetahs will struggle to finish mid-table yet again.

The latest edition includes a detailed preview on each franchise as well interviews with the five South African coaches.

Also in the new mag:

- Ruan Pienaar reveals his thoughts on the switch from scrumhalf to flyhalf, why Butch James is his hero, and how filling Percy Montgomery’s boots as the premier Springbok goal-kicker is no easy task

- We review the Boks’ 2008 season highlighting the success in the UK but underlining a few shortcomings that require attention ahead of the Lions tour

- BJ Botha and John Plumtree offer their views on why the John Smit tighthead experiment requires further time before assessment

- Brad Barritt, Wikus van Heerden, Joe van Niekerk and Ross Skeate report back on their recent playing experiences in Europe

- All Blacks great Anton Oliver learns there’s life after rugby as he pursues his studies at Oxford

- Turning of the Tide: SA Rugby examines what Sanzar needs to do to keep the Super 14 competition fresh and vibrant

- In an edited chapter of Monty, learn how Percy Montgomery was mismanaged by coach Harry Viljoen at an internally divided Western Stormers franchise and how James Small proved an unlikely source of inspiration

- Plus: Club and Schools rugby, as well as world-class columnists in Jake White, Mark Keohane and Mark Hinton


948 Comments

Pages: [1] 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 … 19 » Show All

  • 1.bokfan1: Reply to this comment
    15 Dec 2008, 12:43 pm

    Super 14 Dragons

  • 2.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    15 Dec 2008, 12:43 pm

    Oh no here they go again,Just like SA was going to win the Tri nation in 08 now its the super14 in 09
    So they have written off either all the NZ teams or all the OZ teams lol

  • 3.bokfan1: Reply to this comment
    15 Dec 2008, 12:43 pm

    Yay, its been a while :-)

  • 4.Sheriff: Reply to this comment
    15 Dec 2008, 12:44 pm

    Percy the victim…

    Guscott did not want to swop jerseys.

    Jeez.

  • 5.bokfan1: Reply to this comment
    15 Dec 2008, 12:45 pm

    #2 Hurricane: Thats what a SUPPORTER’S web site is for dude – to be positive and support the teams!

    I think its realistic to be confident for 3 semi-final spots. It could’ve/should’ve been done last year.

    At the same time NZ can feel confident for 2 Semi Final spots. So lets see how it goes.

  • 6.SpringbokSarah: Reply to this comment
    15 Dec 2008, 12:45 pm

    I can’t wait to see everybody’s comments in the you have the right to speak section!

  • 7.bokfan1: Reply to this comment
    15 Dec 2008, 12:46 pm

    The Mark Hinton column seriously sucks Keo, you should take it out and get another Kiwi journo to write

  • 8.SpringbokSarah: Reply to this comment
    15 Dec 2008, 12:46 pm

    Does anybody else think extravaganza is a odd word

  • 9.fish out of water: Reply to this comment
    15 Dec 2008, 12:47 pm

    Is anything going to happen with the online mag? There was that story a while ago and a vote but there has been nothing since.

    Any update??

  • 10.bokfan1: Reply to this comment
    15 Dec 2008, 12:48 pm

    #8 SpringbokSarah: Yip I do too :-)

  • 11.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    15 Dec 2008, 12:48 pm

    #5 bokfan1:
    Oh if thats the case then i see NZ filling 4 semi final spots :-)

  • 12.PissAnt: Reply to this comment
    15 Dec 2008, 12:50 pm

    Stormers’ depth does not look good.

  • 13.SpringbokSarah: Reply to this comment
    15 Dec 2008, 12:50 pm

    #10 bokfan1: I’m not alone! I can now die happy

  • 14.SpringbokSarah: Reply to this comment
    15 Dec 2008, 12:51 pm

    #12 PissAnt: your face does not look good

  • 15.SpringbokSarah: Reply to this comment
    15 Dec 2008, 12:51 pm

    #14 SpringbokSarah: sorry… showing my age again

  • 16.bokfan1: Reply to this comment
    15 Dec 2008, 12:52 pm

    #11 Hurricane: And so you should! :-)
    If the Silver Fern said anything less, I would be surprised…

  • 17.bokfan1: Reply to this comment
    15 Dec 2008, 12:53 pm

    #13 SpringbokSarah: Dont die now – SA is going to have 3 Semi final spots next year! :-)

  • 18.I wanna be coach: Reply to this comment
    15 Dec 2008, 12:53 pm

    #8 SpringbokSarah: It does sound a little ***…

  • 19.cab: Reply to this comment
    15 Dec 2008, 12:53 pm

    lol, 3 in top 6, you must be joking.

  • 20.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    15 Dec 2008, 12:54 pm

    #16 bokfan1:
    Silver who??
    Just kidding.
    I tell you what Bokfan it will be interesting to see how the Saders go

  • 21.I wanna be coach: Reply to this comment
    15 Dec 2008, 12:55 pm

    The sharks will take the S14 next year, and as a die hard Lions supporter that hurts to say! The Stormers might challenge, but got a feeling they’ll stop other teams for qualifying more than qualifying themselves.

  • 22.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    15 Dec 2008, 12:55 pm

    #19 cab:
    I believe its 3 SA teams in the top 4 being semi finals

  • 23.SpringbokSarah: Reply to this comment
    15 Dec 2008, 12:57 pm

    #17 bokfan1: Yeah you’re right… I still need to see my team win the S14

    #18 I wanna be coach: It also has a few letters that aren’t really used and makes the spelling look odd

  • 24.cab: Reply to this comment
    15 Dec 2008, 12:57 pm

    #22 Hurricane:
    yip well if that happens, i will eat my hat.
    no chance unless another 20 ABs are rested.

  • 25.SpringbokSarah: Reply to this comment
    15 Dec 2008, 12:58 pm

    #21 I wanna be coach: no no no, you must support the Stormers! Here we go Stormers here we go! Stormers jou lekker ding! Pie!

  • 26.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    15 Dec 2008, 12:58 pm

    #24 cab:
    lol.

  • 27.bokfan1: Reply to this comment
    15 Dec 2008, 13:01 pm

    #20 Hurricane: Mate it will be VERY interesting. I take it Carter wont be there?

  • 28.SpringbokSarah: Reply to this comment
    15 Dec 2008, 13:01 pm

    #24 cab: they can do it. The Sharks did it last year, the Stormers just got to take it 1 step further and the Bulls have gotten over their raging personal issues

  • 29.Wezwp: Reply to this comment
    15 Dec 2008, 13:03 pm

    The Stormer’s should put on a strong challenge. To come back into contention the way they did earlier in the year was magnificent. It brought back the memories of the class of 99.

  • 30.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    15 Dec 2008, 13:03 pm

    #27 bokfan1:
    I believe he wont be.He will need a rest sometime.
    So yer the super 14 is really wide open isnt it

  • 31.SpringbokSarah: Reply to this comment
    15 Dec 2008, 13:06 pm

    #29 Wezwp: They can and will do it… or I’ll hit them with my Stormers flag

  • 32.I wanna be coach: Reply to this comment
    15 Dec 2008, 13:08 pm

    #25 SpringbokSarah: The only reason I’d ever support the stormers is because of ol Rassie! And that they steal Joburg boys! The only reason I rate the sharks is because they have the perfect set-up, and in the professional era you can beat that. They’ll be S14 front runners for a good few years. Again that hurts saying that.

  • 33.Wezwp: Reply to this comment
    15 Dec 2008, 13:09 pm

    Sarah , dubai can’t possibly be that boring that you’ll spend your day’s on keo. Get out and do some site seeing.

  • 34.SpringbokSarah: Reply to this comment
    15 Dec 2008, 13:10 pm

    #32 I wanna be coach: Steal? No my freind, we pay for all goods. SO support the Stormers…. cos we ain’t the Sharks

  • 35.viewer: Reply to this comment
    15 Dec 2008, 13:11 pm

    3 SA sides in the top 6 at the end of week 14? JC that’s over-optimistic. 2 maybe-sharks and bulls. sharks are genuine home S/F contenders. bulls could squeak 4th. never discount the perennial favourites-crusaders, brumbies and auckland.

  • 36.cab: Reply to this comment
    15 Dec 2008, 13:12 pm

    #28 SpringbokSarah:
    hope u are right sarah, but very big call, can’t see it happening.

  • 37.SpringbokSarah: Reply to this comment
    15 Dec 2008, 13:12 pm

    #33 Wezwp: I have a blister the size of a tomatoe on my foot, I can’t walk… SHOPPING IS DANGEROUS! We went to Abu Dhabi for like the whole day, bought a lot of stuff and now I can’t walk.

    Why do you want me to leave? Cos I’m a lil gir?

  • 38.SpringbokSarah: Reply to this comment
    15 Dec 2008, 13:13 pm

    #36 cab: Have faith in your country!

  • 39.Irish Devil: Reply to this comment
    15 Dec 2008, 13:17 pm

    #37 SpringbokSarah:
    Better company here.

  • 40.I wanna be coach: Reply to this comment
    15 Dec 2008, 13:19 pm

    #34 SpringbokSarah: Ey our moneys also good! Rassie just hatches plans and steals them! And now he’s after Jaque Fourie! There’s one reason above all to not support the Stormers, Puke Twatson!

  • 41.SpringbokSarah: Reply to this comment
    15 Dec 2008, 13:20 pm

    #39 Irish Devil: huh?

  • 42.Wezwp: Reply to this comment
    15 Dec 2008, 13:20 pm

    No sweety i don’t wan’t you to leave. You can stay here as long as you like. Mwah.

  • 43.SpringbokSarah: Reply to this comment
    15 Dec 2008, 13:21 pm

    #40 I wanna be coach: 1. There is nothing wrong with our centres, why would we want yours. 2. Don’t diss Lukie!

  • 44.SpringbokSarah: Reply to this comment
    15 Dec 2008, 13:21 pm

    #42 Wezwp: Yeah… do remember my age? Or my bf?

  • 45.I wanna be coach: Reply to this comment
    15 Dec 2008, 13:22 pm

    #30 Hurricane: But the saders have got some pretty decent back up in the 10 position dont they? Hamish Guard and Steven Brent ect. So duno how open it is gona be. The Blues might be a suprise though, cant discount Pat Lam

  • 46.Wezwp: Reply to this comment
    15 Dec 2008, 13:22 pm

    Sarah hook me up with your rugby girlfriend’s mxit contact’s. Btw can you chat from dubai?

  • 47.Wezwp: Reply to this comment
    15 Dec 2008, 13:24 pm

    Do you have a older sister sarah?

  • 48.viewer: Reply to this comment
    15 Dec 2008, 13:25 pm

    don’t write off the ‘canes either. a good mixture of youth and experience and i see the star of last season’s IRB 7′s series, victor vito, will represent them next year.

  • 49.cane: Reply to this comment
    15 Dec 2008, 13:26 pm

    #5 bokfan1:

    “Thats what a SUPPORTER’S web site is for dude “…………Bokfan1, I thought this supposed to be a “get real web site”. Not some jingoistic excuse bullshiite!

  • 50.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    15 Dec 2008, 13:26 pm

    #46 Wezwp:

    Speechless I am.

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