It’s a guy thing: Super rugby good times beckon

While long-suffering wives and girlfriends will disagree, it’s time for the good times to roll again for Zululand men – Saturdays parked in front of the television with mates, beer in the hand and a braai sizzling outside, as the Super Rugby championship officially kicks off next weekend.

The five SA franchises competing in this year’s wars of attrition are the Cell C Sharks, Toyota Free State Cheetahs, DHL Stormers, Vodacom Blue Bulls and newly promoted Golden Lions.
Last year saw a young Bulls side top the South African conference and end second on the overall log with 63 points, indicating that listening to Steve Hofmeyer music in the change room and playing in pink is a knock-out combination.
The Sharks battled to swim out of the water, finishing eighth on the overall log with a 50% win ratio.
Last year’s ‘dream team’ on paper, the Stormers, failed by dropping to seventh place on the overall log with 50 points.
Blowing hot and cold most of the time, the Cheetahs proved to be the surprise package, ended sixth on the log after winning 10 out of 16 games.

Going into this year’s Super Rugby season, all five franchises have seen changes, making predictions difficult.
Golden oldies
The Bulls went shopping at the old age home, bringing veteran lock Victor Matfield back into the side filled with young Bok players.
Former Loftus darling flyhalf Derick Hougaard has now also made his way back home with hopes of taking the Bull by the horns this year, while No 8 Pierre Spies also returns as captain.
Stormers have kept much of last season’s squad, but the good news for them is that Chuck Norris nemesis Schalk Burger is back in the mix.
After losing only one Currie Cup match last year and beating the Bulls in a warm-up game at the weekend, the side is looking conditioned and ready for action.
Much focus is on the Sharks with the new coach and captain (Jake White and Bismarck du Plessis) at the helm, as well as some talented newcomers set for call-up.

Losing to Saracens in England in a friendly warm-up has left a degree of unease about the new brooms not sweeping so clean, but in fairness the game was experimental and local supporters will hope things click into place very quickly.
The Cheetahs again have to survive after being subjected to another poaching spree by the bigger cash flush unions, but they nevertheless boast a well balance squad.
Newcomers the Golden Lions have a lot to prove. After getting back into the rugby championship after beating the Southern Kings, coach Johan Ackerman and his troops will look to make an impact this season – a tough task for the perennial underdogs.
My money is on the Stormers pulling it through this time, with the Bulls the surprise package challenging for top spot now that their young and highly talented players have been blooded in the team building phase last year.