SA S15 Conference 2020
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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.
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DHL Stormers squad: Juarno Augustus, Kwenzo Blose, Jaco Coetzee, Paul de Wet, Dan du Plessis, Jean-Luc du Plessis, Johan du Toit, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Ben-Jason Dixon, Schalk Erasmus, Neethling Fouche, Michal Haznar, Lyle Hendricks, Herschel Jantjies, Dan Jooste, Steven Kitshoff, Siya Kolisi, David Kriel, Dillyn Leyds, Wilco Louw, Leon Lyons, Godlen Masimla, Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, David Meihuizen, Salmaan Moerat, Matt More, Ruhan Nel, Scarra Ntubeni, Sergeal Petersen, Rikus Pretorius, Jamie Roberts, Sazi Sandi, JD Schickerling, Seabelo Senatla, Chad Solomon, Edwill van der Merwe, Ernst van Rhyn, Abner van Reenen, Chris van Zyl, Ali Vermaak, Cobus Wiese, Damian Willemse, Nama Xaba, Leolin Zas.
DHL Stormers 2020 squad announced | The Stormers
DHL Stormers Head Coach John Dobson has confirmed the 45-man squad for the 2020 Vodacom Super Rugby campaign. The DHL Stormers will kick-off the new season on February 1 against the Hurricanes at DHL Newlands, having concluded their pre-season preparations with a 21-19 win against the Cell C Sharks...
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Sharks team vs Bulls
15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Sbu Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am (captain), 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Tyler Paul, 6 James Venter, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Ox Nche
Substitutes: 16 Craig Burden, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 John-Hubert Meyer, 19 Le Roux Roets, 20 Henco Venter, 21 Sanele Nohamba, 22 Boeta Chamberlain, 23 Jeremy Ward -
@cgrant said in SA S15 Conference 2020:
Last year, I predicted the Jaguares to finish on top of the SA conference. I am not so sure for 2020. They have lost a few key players (Sanchez, Lavanini, Matera). It will be very tight.
Sanchez left at end of 2018 He's been replaced by Miotti who'll be Pumas #10 by 2023 RWC
Lavanini is a liability He'l be replaced by Alemanno who's alot more disciplined & is a lineout option to boot
Moyano gone to Toulon Good player but Jaguares have tons of wing option S Carreras will start at #11
Only significant loss will be Matera who was best player in Super Rugby last year
Jaguares will replace Matera by committee:
Grondona Pedimonte (U20), Gorrisen Lezana will all start at Flanker/#8 as Desio cover flank as well as #8
I expect Jaguares to again dominate SA Conf & go back to back Stormers only team sniffing the Jaguares talent level
- Jaguares - Win SR
- Stormers - QF
- Sharks - QF
- Lions - 10th
- Bulls - 11th
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@OomPB said in SA S15 Conference 2020:
Sharks team vs Bulls
15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Sbu Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am (captain), 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Tyler Paul, 6 James Venter, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Ox Nche
Substitutes: 16 Craig Burden, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 John-Hubert Meyer, 19 Le Roux Roets, 20 Henco Venter, 21 Sanele Nohamba, 22 Boeta Chamberlain, 23 Jeremy WardBulls
15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Johnny Kotze, 12 Burger Odendaal (captain), 11 Rosko Specman, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Ivan van Zyl, 8 Josh Strauss, 7 Abongile Nonkontwana, 6 Jeandré Rudolph, 5 Juandré Kruger, 4 Andries Ferreira, 3 Wiehahn Herbst, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Lizo Gqoboka
Substitutes: 16 Johan Grobbelaar, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Trevor Nyakane, 19 Ruan Nortje, 20 Ryno Pieterse, 21 Wian Vosloo, 22 Embrose Papier, 23 Manie Libbok
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Sharks touring squad (for Highlanders, Hurricanes, Rebels and Reds away games):
Touring Squad - The Sharks Durban
Cell C Sharks head coach Sean Everitt has named a 27-man squad that will depart for Australasia after week one action in their match against the Vodacom Bulls. The team will take on the Highlanders and Hurricanes in their New Zealand leg in week two and three, followed by successive matches against...
