With Super Rugby in Round 4 it makes interesting reading with a World Cup on the horizon. The leading South African side is the Sharks with their dynamic style of play, while the defending champion Bulls are struggling to gather any momentum.
The Stormers seemingly look to still be working things out but once they do I think we could be in for some good performances by the men from the Cape.
The Lions and Cheetahs are in a similar position where they have some fantastic talents in their ranks and good ideas from a good coaching staff. When it comes to execution, however, they lack the finishing touch. As the competition progresses I wouldn’t be too surprised if these bottom dwellers manage to overturn some of the big boys in their quest for Super Rugby kudos.
There are a few South African players who have made an impact already which gives the South African rugby public something to be talking about. Jaco Taute is one of the players who has impressed for the Lions at fullback. Watching the young No.15 play reminds me of the great Andre Joubert. Taute is definitely one to watch for the future and I wouldn’t be surprised if he is snatched up by the one of the bigger unions.
With Morne Steyn off the boil, it is promising to see Peter Grant and Patrick Lambie looking good for the Stormers and Sharks respectively. Some might say that Grant has been unlucky not to be given an extended run for the Boks, but this might just be his year to make it count. Lambie was last season’s South African sensation but the Super Rugby competition will test him out even further – so far so good.
The last two players worth a mention are massive assets in the Boks setup and it is great to see them playing again and playing well. When these two players are on form there is no one in the world that would rival them. Oh how we missed Fourie du Preez while he was out injured. The general at the back of the scrum is in a class of his own and it is great for South African rugby that he is back playing again after an injury layoff.
The standout South African player so far in this year’s Super Rugby competition has to be Bismark du Plessis in my mind. He holds the scrum together well, his lineout throwing is solid but his biggest contribution to date is how he goes about his open play. He is fearless in attack and defence. He takes the ball up carrying two or three defenders with him and is like a fourth loose forward in defence.
With these two stalwarts returning to form and some promising fringe players playing well, Springbok rugby looks to be on the right track for the Rugby World Cup.
