Super Rugby: What starting XVs can tell us about a team’s season

The way starting line-ups differ from the start and the end of the season doesn’t provide a full picture of a side’s fortunes during a campaign.

Injuries and suspensions are always a factor.

But it’s nonetheless an interesting exercise to compare as it does provide some indication as to what themes and issues were present in the respective team’s seasons.

Lions

First game (v Cheetahs): Andries Coetzee, Lionel Mapoe, Howard Mnisi, Rohan Janse van Rensburg, Courtnall Skosan, Elton Jantjies, Faf de Klerk, Warren Whiteley, Ruan Ackermann, Jaco Kriel, Franco Mostert, Andries Ferreira, Ruan Dreyer, Malcolm Marx, Jacques van Rooyen.

Final game (v Sharks): Andries Coetzee, Ruan Combrinck, Lionel Mapoe, Harold Vorster, Courtnall Skosan, Elton Jantjies, Ross Cronje, Ruan Ackermann, Kwagga Smith, Jaco Kriel, Franco Mostert, Andries Ferreira, Ruan Dreyer, Malcolm Marx, Jacques van Rooyen.

It’s little wonder the Lions have enjoyed another excellent campaign to date as they are one of the sides that had the most consistency in team selection.

The different centre pairings highlight one of the biggest themes: that it took unfortunate injuries to Howard Mnisi and Rohan Janse van Rensburg to bring together Lionel Mapoe and Harold Vorster.

They’ve combined superbly in this campaign.

The loose trio would’ve remained the same had Warren Whiteley not been injured, though Kwagga Smith has grabbed his chance.

Stormers

First game (v Bulls): SP Marais, Cheslin Kolbe, EW Viljoen, Damian de Allende, Dillyn Leyds, Jean-Luc du Plessis, Jano Vermaak, Nizaam Carr, Siya Kolisi, Rynhardt Elstadt, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Wilco Louw, Bongi Mbonambi, JC Janse van Rensburg. 

Final game (v Bulls): Dillyn Leyds, Cheslin Kolbe, EW Viljoen, Damian de Allende, Seabelo Senatla, Damian Willemse, Jano Vermaak, Nizaam Carr, Siya Kolisi, Rynhardt Elstadt, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, JC Janse van Rensburg.

Don’t be fooled by the midfield pairing of EW Viljoen and Damian de Allende. It’s been a season where the Stormers had to use six different centres due to injuries!

The tight five remained reasonably consistent, which explains why they’ve scrummed well in 2017.

But they’re still looking for a consistent flyhalf that can stay injury-free.

Sharks

First game (v Reds): Curwin Bosch, Kobus van Wyk, Lukhanyo Am, Andre Esterhuizen, Lwazi Mvovo, Pat Lambie, Cobus Reinach, Tera Mtembu, Jean-Luc du Preez, Philip van der Walt, Ruan Botha, Etienne Oosthuizen, Coenie Oosthuizen, Franco Marais, Beast Mtawarira.

Final game (v Lions): Lwazi Mvovo, Kobus van Wyk, Lukhanyo Am, Andre Esterhuizen, S’bu Nkosi, Garth April, Cobus Reinach, Dan du Preez, Jean-Luc du Preez, Philip van der Walt, Stephan Lewies, Etienne Oosthuizen, Coenie Oosthuizen, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Thomas du Toit.

Pat Lambie’s succession of injuries have made it difficult for the Sharks to settle on a flyhalf.

Coach Robert du Preez mentioned how he essentially kept Garth April at 10 this week just for continuity.

The locks have been rotated successfully this year and the midfield pairing of Lukhanyo Am and Andre Esterhuizen has been a highlight despite both missing chunks of the campaign.

Kings

First game (v Jaguares): Chrysander Botha, Makazole Mapimpi, Berton Klaasen, Waylon Murray, Malcolm Jaer, Lionel Cronje, Louis Schreuder, Ruaan Lerm, Stefan Willemse, Andisa Ntsila, Mzwanele Zito, Irne Herbst, Ross Geldenhuys, Mikey Willemse, Schalk Ferreira.

Final game (v Cheetahs): Malcolm Jaer, Wandile Mjekevu, Berton Klaasen, Luzuko Vulindlu, Makazole Mapimpi, Lionel Cronje, Louis Schreuder, Andisa Ntsila, Tyler Paul, Chris Cloete, Wilhelm van der Sluys, Giant Mtyanda, Ross Geldenhuys, Mikey Willemse, Mzamo Majola.

Once the early season injury problems started going away, the Kings soared in this heartening campaign.

The loose trio has become skillful and balanced, with Andisa Ntsila in particular showing his versatility.

Berton Klaasen has been an unsung hero as evidenced by all his starts and everybody by now knows the halfback pairing of Cronje and Schreuder are only bettered by Elton Jantjies and Ross Cronje.

Cheetahs

First game (v Lions): Clayton Blommetjies, Sergeal Petersen, Nico Lee, Clinton Swart, Raymond Rhule, Fred Zeilinga, Tian Meyer, Paul Schoeman, Oupa Mohoje, Uzair Cassiem, Reniel Hugo, Justin Basson, Aranos Coetzee, Torsten van Jaarsveld, Charles Marais.

Final game (v Kings): Clayton Blommetjies, William Small-Smith, Francois Venter, Clinton Swart, Raymond Rhule, Fred Zeilinga, Tian Meyer, Niell Jordaan, Oupa Mohoje, Uzair Cassiem, Reniel Hugo, Carl Wegner, Aranos Coetzee, Joseph Dweba, Ox Nche.

Another backline that hasn’t been as stable as it looks.

Coach Franco Smith spent most of the season plugging the gap at wing as injuries eroded depth within a few weeks.

The same can be said of the loose trio but at least Fred Zeilinga – deservedly – comes out as the first-choice flyhalf in Bloemfontein.

Bulls

First game (v Stormers): Jesse Kriel, Jamba Ulengo, Dries Swanepoel, Burger Odendaal, Travis Ismaiel, Handre Pollard, Rudy Paige, Hanro Liebenberg, Jacques Potgieter, Nic de Jager, RG Snyman, Lood de Jager, Trevor Nyakane, Jaco Visagie, Pierre Schoeman.

Final game (v Stormers): Warrick Gelant, Travis Ismaiel, Jesse Kriel, Jan Serfontein, Duncan Matthews, Tian Schoeman, Rudy Paige, Nic de Jager, Jannes Kirsten, Shaun Adendorff, RG Snyman, Jason Jenkins, Conraad Janse van Vuuren, Adriaan Strauss, Pierre Schoeman.

A traumatic season in every sense, even selection wise.

Travis Ismaiel only returned two weeks ago and Duncan Matthews has only been pressed into service on the wing because there are no specialists available currently.

Jesse Kriel and Jan Serfontein actually played precious little together throughout the season – it was only at the Boks where they started to combine well – and we still don’t know who represents the best loose trio.

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