SA S15 Conference 2020
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NEWLANDS’ FUTURE IN DOUBT FOLLOWING WESTERN PROVINCE STADIUM DEAL
Western Province Rugby will move to Cape Town Stadium in 2021 in a move that places the future of Newlands Stadium, the team’s current home, in doubt. The City of Cape Town’s Council has approved a binding heads of agreement between the city, Cape Town Stadium (pictured) and Western Province for the team to make the venue its home from February 1, 2021. The deal will potentially span the next 99 years. A “mutually beneficial” revenue share model has been agreed upon that grants Western Province preferential access to play all of its matches at Cape Town Stadium. Under the agreement, the city will be responsible for repairs, maintenance and operational costs at the stadium, which will retain its multi-purpose status and continue staging other sports and events. As part of the deal, additional suites will be constructed at Cape Town Stadium, which has a capacity of 55,000 and was built for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Western Province Rugby Group chief executive Paul Zacks said: “These heads of agreement are the culmination of three long years of hard work. There is much ahead of us before we can play at Cape Town Stadium in 2021, with the primary anchor tenant agreement still to be finalised.” The announcement comes after multiple reports last month claimed that Newlands Stadium, one of the world’s most historic rugby union venues, is poised to be demolished and redeveloped as residential and retail property. Banking and asset management group Investec has reportedly been granted development rights to Newlands from 2021 through an agreement with the Western Province Rugby Football Union, which owns the stadium. Reports claim that Investec has agreed a 99-year lease on Newlands, with an immediate payment of R110m (£5.8m/€6.7m/$7.5m) due to the WPRFU. Investec is said to be seeking to transform the Newlands site into residential and retail development, with the WPRFU to benefit from a five-per-cent share in any profits derived from this plan, plus a further 3.5-per-cent share from the resale of any units developed. The plan would require the green light from the City of Cape Town. Newlands has a current capacity of around 52,000 and opened in 1888, staging its first official rugby match in 1890. It currently serves as the home of the Stormers Super Rugby franchise and domestic team Western Province, along with being a regular venue for national team games. -
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I am curious as to whether Springboks can remain strong with strong schools system, weakened Super Rugby and many overseas? It’s a broader question for the whole Southern Hemisphere but maybe we will see how Boks go after the World Cup and who and when the players will be available.
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@OomPB said in SA S15 Conference 2020:
We lost a lot of players and at this stage no franchise had their squads on paper, so still a lot of guessing.
The Stormers: (last year of rugby on Newlands)
My A team:
Herschel Jantjies/Damian Willemse/Seaball Senatla/Huw Jones/Daniel du Plessis/Sergeal Pietersen/Dillian Lleyds
Steven Kitshoff/Bongi/Frans Malherbe/JD Schickerling/Moerat/Kolisi/PsdT/Jaco CoetzeeB Team
Jano Vermaak/Josua Stander (JL du Plessis)/Adwill van der Merwe/Rikus Prinsloo/Ruhan Nel/Lionel Zas/Tristen Lleyds
Ali Vermaak/Scarra/Wilco Louw/C vanZyl/Meihuizen/Ernst van Rhyn/TrokkieBULLS
Bulls Player losses:
Schalk Brits (Retired)
Lood de Jager (to England Sale Sharks)
Jason Jenkins (to Japan Toyota Verblitz)
Eli Snyman (to Italy Benetton)
RG Snyman (to Japan Honda Heat)
Hendré Stassen (to France Stade Français)
Thembelani Bholi (to Southern Kings)
Jannes Kirsten (to England Exeter Chiefs)
Paul Schoeman (to Japan Honda Heat)
Roelof Smit (to Lions)
Hanro Liebenberg (to England Leicester Tigers)
Duane Vermeulen (to Japan Kubota Spears)
André Warner (to Lions)
Handré Pollard (to France Montpellier)
Chris Smith (returned to Pumas)
JT Jackson (to Southern Kings)
Jesse Kriel (to Japan Canon Eagles)
Travis Ismaiel (to England Harlequins)
Duncan Matthews (to Lions)Confirmed gains so far:
Juandré Kruger (from France Toulon)
Abongile Nonkontwana (from Cheetahs)
Josh Strauss (from England Sale Sharks)
Morné Steyn (from France Stade Français)LIONS
Props
Johannes Jonker
Leo Kruger
Nathan McBeth
Sti Sithole
Dylan Smith
Frans van Wyk
Jannie du Plessis ?
Asenathi NtlabakanyeHookers
PJ Botha
Jan-Henning Campher
Pieter JansenLocks
Rhyno Herbst
Reinhard Nothnagel
Marvin Orie
Ruben Schoeman
PJ Steenkamp
Ruan VermaakLoose forwards
Cyle Brink
Hacjivah Dayimani
Pikkie de Villiers
Len Massyn
Marnus Schoeman
Vincent Tshituka
Francke Horn
Roelof SmitScrum-halves
Ross Cronjé
Andre Warner
Dillon Smit
Bradley Thain
Morné van den BergFly-halves
Eddie Fouché
Shaun Reynolds
Elton Jantjies
James MollentzeCentres
Jan-Louis la Grange
Manuel Rass
Wandisile Simelane
Dan Kriel
Lourens van der SchyffWingers
Tyreeq February
Duncan Matthews
Stean Pienaar
Jamba Ulengo
Courtnall SkosanFullbacks
Tyrone Green
Gianni Lombard
Andries Coetzee
Tiaan SwanepoelSHARKS
Sharks Player losses:Tendai Mtawarira (retired)
Coenie Oosthuizen (to England Sale Sharks)
Cullen Collopy (to United States New Orleans Gold)
Akker van der Merwe (to England Sale Sharks)
Ruan Botha (to England London Irish)
Jean-Luc du Preez (to England Sale Sharks)
Jacques Vermeulen (to England Exeter Chiefs)
Dan du Preez (to England Sale Sharks)
Philip van der Walt (to England Newcastle Falcons)
Robert du Preez (to England Sale Sharks)
Andre Esterhuizen (to Japan Munakata Sanix Blues)
Kobus van Wyk (to New Zealand Hurricanes)
Rhyno Smith (to Cheetahs)
Courtney Winnaar (to Southern Kings)
Robert du Preez Snr (released) - CoachPlayer gains so far:
Michael Kumbirai (from Stormers)
Ox Nché (from Cheetahs)
Jordan Sesink-Clee (from Maties)
Sikhumbuzo Notshe (from Stormers)
James Venter (from Lions)
Henco Venter (from Cheetahs)
Jordan Chait (from Maties)
Werner Kok (from South Africa Sevens)
Madosh Tambwe (from Lions)
Sean Everitt (from Sharks) - CoachJuandre Kruger is currently playing for the Llanelli Scarlets.
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@Snowy said in SA S15 Conference 2020:
@OomPB said in SA S15 Conference 2020:
The Stormers: (last year of rugby on Newlands)
What's that about? Just the Stormers moving or no rugby at all?
It has taken Western Province rugby pretty much going bankrupt (a tale of maladministration for another day) for the sensible decision to finally be taken.
Rugby in Cape Town will from 2021 be played at the world class Cape Town stadium instead of the disaster-in-waiting deathtrap of Newlands.The traditional Western Province blokes like @OomPB will no doubt be sad to lose a historic venue - and I have sympathy - but it is the right move.
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@DMX said in SA S15 Conference 2020:
I am curious as to whether Springboks can remain strong with strong schools system, weakened Super Rugby and many overseas? It’s a broader question for the whole Southern Hemisphere but maybe we will see how Boks go after the World Cup and who and when the players will be available.
I suspect the Springbokke will be much stronger. For once they will have a smooth transition between 2 world cup cycles under Rassie.
Our SH bros starts with new coaches and players.
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S24
https://m.sport24.co.za/Rugby/SuperRugby/wp-confirm-there-may-be-life-after-world-cup-20191217Western Province confirm there may be life after World Cup
The announcement on Tuesday that most of the Western Province World Cup Springboks remain committed to the union for next year is confirmation that at least one South African Vodacom Super Rugby franchise there may be life after the World Cup.
Most of the local franchises have been decimated by departures and retirements but the DHL Stormers will go into the new Super Rugby season with the core of the World Cup winning pack on their books. In addition to the eight Springboks who have signed contract extensions, the Stormers will also still have the services of fellow Boks Herschel Jantjies and Wilco Louw, who are still on contract.
Bok skipper Siya Kolisi heads the list of players who have committed to 2020, and he is joined by World Rugby Player of the Year Pieter-Steph du Toit, props Steven Kitshoff and Frans Malherbe and hooker Bongi Mbonambi from the pack that beat England in the World Cup final just six weeks ago.
Scarra Ntubeni, who became a Bok just before the World Cup although he did not go to Japan, Damian Willemse, who went to Japan as a replacement for the injured Jesse Kriel, and Dillyn Leyds are the other players with Bok colours that have signed until 2021. It is understood that the prospect of facing the British and Irish Lions in 2021 was a big draw for the players who re-committed.
Cobus Wiese, Jaco Coetzee and Ruhan Nel are players on the fringes of Bok selection who are still under contract, with the loose forward and second row stocks being boosted by Juarno Augustus, Johan du Toit, Nama Xaba, Ben-Jason Dixon, Chris van Zyl and JD Schickerling all signing new contracts.
Props Kwenzo Blose, Leon Lyons and Neethling Fouche are gaining in experience and will off-set the departure of Michael Kumbirai (Sharks) and Carlu Sadie. With Ali Vermaak reportedly over his injury problems, the Stormers won’t lack for front-row depth, with Boks on the bench and in the starting team.
If the Stormers have a potential weakness it is at the back, where the departure of Damian de Allende will leave a big hole to fill. Coach John Dobson will be hoping that Dan du Plessis is able to get through the season without being blighted by the injuries that have held back his career. Ditto for Dan’s cousin, flyhalf Jean-Luc du Plessis.
The Stormers are currently busy with their pre-season camp in George and were joined by their Springbok World Cup contingent last week. One of the first priorities Dobson faces is to get everyone on the same page with regards the team culture, with a very clear message likely to be spelt out to those players who have now experienced World Cup success that their career narrative didn’t end in the global final at Yokohama.
In addition to the established stars, there are several young players with huge promise, such as Salmaan Moerat and Ernst van Rhyn, both of them former national age group captains, who could do with the guidance offered by the World Cup winners as they start to work towards building a new dynasty at WP.
"We know what these players offer on and off the field, the challenge now is to get the most out of their considerable talents," said Dobson.
Kolisi, who of course will continue as Stormers captain, said that by keeping the core of the squad together, the Stormers have a great opportunity to achieve something special next season.
"I have been playing with some of these guys my whole career and we are all looking forward to reaching new heights in a Stormers jersey,” said Kolisi.
“We have a strong group of senior players and talented youngsters coming through all the time, which is what we need to reach our goal of rewarding the Newlands faithful for their incredible support.
"I know it has been a tough few years for us and we really appreciate them for sticking with us and hopefully we will have plenty to celebrate in the future."
Western Province Rugby Group CEO Paul Zacks said that given the strength of the players contracted, the future looks bright for the DHL Stormers.
"While the introduction of the new contracting model, salary caps and the number of senior players that we can contract has made it a challenging process, I am most pleased to confirm that we have managed to retain the majority of our senior players for 2020 and beyond,” said Zacks.
"It is encouraging to see how many top players have bought into our vision for the future and we look forward to seeing them help develop some of the outstanding young talent we have coming through the ranks in the years to come.”
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Warm ups:
January 10, Friday
Sharks v Pukke
Venue: Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 15.00Sharks v Russia
Venue: Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 17.00January 11, Saturday
Stormers v Maties, UCT, CPUT and a DHL WP XV
Venue: Florida Park, Ravensmead
Kick-off: 12.00January 17, Friday
Sharks v Russia
Venue: Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 15.00Lions v Bulls
Venue: Loftus Versveld, Pretoria
Kick-off: TBCJaguares v Georgia
Venue: Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires
Kick-off: 21.00 (02.00 January 18, South Africa time)January 19, Sunday
*Stormers v Sharks (Super Sunday)
Venue: FNB Stadium, Soweto
Kick-off: 13.00*Lions v Bulls (Super Sunday)
Venue: FNB Stadium, Soweto
Kick-off: 15.15January 24, Friday
Jaguares v Georgia
Venue: San Isidro Club, Buenos Aires
Kick-off: 16.45 (22.45 South Africa time) -
Super Hero Sunday tomorrow in Soweto.
52,000 ticket sold.
Sharks vs Stormers
Teams:Sharks
15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Sbu Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 André Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Tyler Paul, 6 Henco Venter, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Le Roux Roets, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Ox Nche
Substitutes: 16 Dylan Richardson, 17 Mzamo Majola, 18 John-Hubert Meyer, 19 JJ van der Mescht, 20 Ruben van Heerden, 21 James Venter, 22 Tera Mtembu, 23 Sanele Nohamba, 24 Boeta Chamberlain, 25 Jeremy Ward, 26 Marius Louw, 27 Madosh Tambwe, 28 Lwazi Mvovo
Stormers
15 Dillyn Leyds, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Rikus Pretorius, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Siya Kolisi (captain), 7 Ernst van Rhyn, 6 Nama Xaba, 5 David Meihuizen, 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Steven Kitshoff
Substitutes: 16 Chad Solomon, 17 Kwenzo Blose, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 Hilton Lobberts, 20 Ben-Jason Dixon, 21 Thys Kitshoff, 22 Godlen Masimla, 23 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 24 Seabelo Senatla, 25 Michal Hazner, 26 David Kriel
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Any good summaries on the South African conference as we get closer?
Keen to get a better grip on how those teams are stacking up after all the changes for 2020
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The 2020 Sharks squad has been announced:
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Media release: https://sharksrugby.co.za/2020/01/21/cell-c-sharks-captain-and-squad-announcement/
Springbok centre, Lukhanyo Am has been named the captain.
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Bulls 2020 squad:
Forwards: Simphiwe Matanzima, Gerhard Steenekamp, Lizo Gqoboka, Corniel Els, Jaco Visagie, Muller Uys, Johan Grobbelaar, Louis van der Westhuizen, Trevor Nyakane, Wiehahn Herbst, Dayan van der Westhuizen, Andries Ferreira, Ryno Pieterse, Ian Groenewald, Juandré Kruger, Ruan Nortje, Tim Agaba, Marco van Staden, Jeandré Rudolph, Ruan Steenkamp, Abongile Nonkontwana, Wian Vosloo, Josh Strauss.Backs: Ivan van Zyl, Embrose Papier, Marco Jansen van Vuren, Morné Steyn, Chris Smith, Manie Libbok, Rosko Specman, Divan Rossouw, Burger Odendaal, Dylan Sage, Franco Naude, Cornal Hendricks, Nafi Tuitavake, Marnus Potgieter, Johnny Kotze, Jade Stighling, Warrick Gelant, Richard Kriel.
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Stormers could not get Huw Jones but signed Jamie Roberts
Welsh rugby legend Roberts bolsters DHL Stormers | The Stormers
Wales and British and Irish Lions legend Jamie Roberts will add valuable experience as both a player and mentor for the DHL Stormers in the 2020 Vodacom Super Rugby season. The seasoned midfielder has joined the DHL Stormers through the financial support of a corporate partner and will play a major...
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@Davesofthunder said in SA S15 Conference 2020:
Any good summaries on the South African conference as we get closer?
Keen to get a better grip on how those teams are stacking up after all the changes for 2020
I am biased but on paper the Stormers should do well specially with the pack (Kolisi, PSdT, Malherbe, Bongi, Kitshoff) and exciting Herschel Jantjies and Damian Willemse. They havent lost that many players like the others and have better depth compare to the others.
The Sharks have a very good backline (Andre Esterhuizen and Am in midfield, and a back three of Mapimpi, Nkosi and Aphelele Fassi.). Lions have a very young but talented squad, Bulls will there or there about. Jaquares will also be strong.Not sure about the Jacquares.
