Ladies and Gentlemen, it is that time of year again, when our weekends turn into an obsession with the world best franchise rugby tournament. That is right Super Rugby 2018 is here. With a new and improved format, we will see teams face off against 85% off opposition teams (up from 70% in 2017). With many teams having changes at the helm and many players seeking greener pastures in Europe we are in for another exciting tournament where we can expect new faces to light up the scene.
This post will be in three parts previewing the South African Conference (part 1), Australian Conference (part 2) and the New Zeeland Conference (part 3). We will have a look at each team in the conference, some of their new arrivals, their major departures and what we can expect from each team and give a prediction as to how I expect them to perform.
South African Conference:
Bulls, Lions, Sharks, Stormers, Jaguares.
Australian Conference:
Brumbies, Rebels, Reds, Waratahs, Sunwolves.
New Zeeland Conference:
Blues, Chiefs, Crusaders, Highlanders, Hurricanes.
The South African Conference.
1) Jaguares 
Basically, the Argentina international team excluding a couple of players plying their trade in Europe, the Buenos Aires based team will be hoping to dispel the demons of past seasons after being falling well short of expectations finishing 15th and 10th respectively. A team that has had disciplinary problems, almost spending more time playing with 14 players than they did with 15, will be hoping to keep their cool when under the pump.
Squad:
Losing influential front rower Ramiro Herrera will leave big boots to fill, however, Argentina have never found it difficult to produce front rowers. Furthermore, the signing of Tomas Cubelli from the Brumbies adds some competition for the scrumhalf position which should strengthen their already threatening halfback pairing.
In the pack you can always expect a big performance from Hooker Augustin Creevy but I believe the ones to watch this season are Leonardo Senatore and Tomas Lavanini. In the Backline on the other hand stalwarts Emiliano Boffeli and Nicolas Sanchez rarely disappoint.
Conclusion:
Although the Jaguares have a full international squad, they have still not proven that they can be consistently competitive on the Super Rugby stage. Along with their past performances the Argentine’s allow their emotions to rule supreme in most games and this lack of discipline will continue to cost them games. Therefore, I predict the Jaguares to finish the season in last place in the South African conference and probably in 13th Position on the overall log.
2) Blue Bulls 
Finishing in 15th position in 2017 the Blue Bulls had an abysmal season and they would be hoping for some improvement during the new campaign. With John Mitchell the new man at the helm we can expect to see some attacking rugby from a Bulls side with a very exciting young backline that will be well supported by a very physical pack of forwards.
Ending the 2017 tournament with a tackle completion rate of 85% (ranked 15th out of 18), the Bulls will have to sharpen up on their defensive game if they want to compete with the top sides.
The Squad:
First off losing the experienced and brilliant Jan Serfontein to Montpellier in France will leave a huge gap in the midfield and is a big loss for the Bulls leadership group. However, with the likes of Burger Odendaal and Jesse Kriel the Bulls still have some real firepower in midfield. The strength of the Bulls should be in their young talented backline with Warrick Gelant being their main threat from fullback and the loftus faithful will be hoping to see Handre Pollard have an injury free spell while rediscovering the form he showed a couple of seasons ago.
Another very exciting aspect of the Bulls squad is the presence of a couple of rising stars in South African Rugby with the likes of Manie Libbok and Embrose Papier showing a lot of promise at junior levels.
Conclusion:
The Bulls should have a physical pack of forwards and if John Mitchell can impart some of the Kiwi flair a very exciting backline going forward. The defensive side of the Bulls game should still be a concern. Although the Bulls can be expected to play a more expansive game and have some exciting talents among their ranks, I still think they have the weakest squad when comparing them with all the other South African teams and therefore their predicted finish within the South African Conference is 4th and Overall 12th.
3) Stormers 
Probably the team in Super Rugby with the worst knockout phase record, the Stormers will be looking to shake off their knockout phase hoodoo and finally challenge top teams in the tournament. Falling by the wayside in the Quarter finals has become a way to familiar story as the Stormers succumbed to the knockout hoodoo once again in 2017. However, after returning to the drawing board the Newlands faithful will be hoping for an injection of some much-needed big match temperament.
Squad:
With a pack of forwards who have International experience in every position and exciting youngsters like Juanro Augustus, Kobus Wiese and JD Schikcerling backing up the likes of Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth and Pieter Steph Du Toit, the Stormers pack is definitely one to be feared. With the addition of Steven Kitshoff, who returns from his stint in France, the Stormers scrum will be vastly improved. The Stormers have also made their intentions clear, signing Sergeal Peterson, and Raymond Rhule from the Cheethas providing competition to an already very impressive lineup with Dillon Leyds, Seabelo Senatla and SP Marais all competing for the same positions.
With the very exciting Damien Willemse looking to make the No10 jersey his own after the unfortunate departure of Robert Du Preez to the Sharks. The Stormers may find their halfback pairing to be their biggest problem area if the youngster struggles to adapt against the tougher competition. Stormers fans and all South African Rugby fans will however hope this is not the case as the Springbok No10 jersey is a highly debated topic of conversation.
Conclusion:
The Stormers pack might have loads of experience and talent but are sometimes found lacking when it comes to work ethic, however, with the presence of promising youngsters the starting 8 will have to be at their best to keep their position. When we look at their backline although they have loads of promising players, they do lack consistent performers and finding consistent combinations will be key for the Cape Town franchise.
My prediction for the Stormers would be 3rd in the South African conference and maybe just sneaking into a knockout position finishing 8th on the overall log. The Stormers have a very strong pack and a lot of potential in the backline, but I still think they will fall short of the top two positions in the conference.
4) Sharks 
The Durban based franchise has performed relatively well in the past two seasons making the quarter final in both years and will be hoping to take it a couple of steps further to challenge the Kiwi sides and the Lions for the top honours. With the Sharks having to face off against the New Zeeland Conference again they will find it much tougher to play in the knockout phases come the end of the season.
Squad:
Expectations at the Shark tank are relatively high with the arrival of Leolin Zas and Robert Du Preez from the Stormers, Akker van der Merwe from the Lions and Makozolo Mapimpi from the Kings after his stint with the Cheethas in the Top 14. The Sharks have a very experienced front row with Ross Geldenhuys, the Beast and Coenie Oosthuizen being backed up by Thomas Du Toit who is a very exciting young talent. With the twin Du Preez brothers gaining some international experience and showing that they can play international rugby, Sharks fans would be hoping to see them carry their form into the Super Rugby season.
The Sharks backline boasts a host of promising players with the likes of Robert Du Preez, Curwin Bosch and Lukanyo Am (who is definitely one to watch this season). However, losing the experience and talent of Patrick Lambie to Racing 92 cannot be understated even though he spent most of last season out injured.
Conclusion:
This season the Sharks backline could produce some new challengers for the Bok jersey’s and the Durban franchise’s fans can strap in for an exciting season. The forwards might not have as many big names as the Stormers but they should cope perfectly well with their experienced men leading the way.
With the Sharks seemingly getting a better understanding of their game plan and improving their performances and squad in recent times I expect to see the Sharks challenging for the top spot in the South African conference however I see them falling just short taking second spot in the conference and 7th on the Overall log.
5) Lions
A team that has been an absolute joy to watch in the past two seasons playing a very expansive game of running rugby and leaving all challengers in the dust. The Lions have unfortunately stumbled at the final hurdle on two occasions and will be hoping that they can continue their mesmerising Super Rugby form this season and clear the final hurdle to win the whole tournament.
The Lions have had some changes at the helm with inspirational coach Johan Ackerman leaving for a new challenge in Europe and taking his son and promising loose forward Ruan Ackerman with him. This has resulted in the promotion of Swys De Bruin who has been Assistant coach for the past two seasons and therefore this change should not disturb the Lions rhythm too much. The Lions should also be very confident as they are the only team in the South African and Australian conference to have beaten every team they have faced (including all five New Zeeland Teams) at least once in the past two seasons.
Squad:
Keeping a very much unchanged squad apart from the departures of Faf de Klerk and Ruan Ackerman the Lions have added some young talent with the likes of Michael Tambwe and Aphiwe Dyantyi adding to their options out wide. The Lions will also be boosted by the return of players like Ruan Janse van Rensurg, Howard Mnisi and Dylan Smith who had injury trouble keep them out of action for large parts of the 2017 season.
Looking at the forwards you can’t look much further than Malcolm Marx who last year against the All Blacks proved that he is without a doubt one of the best if not the best hooker in world rugby. Furthermore, their loose forward trio of Warren Whiteley, Kwagga Smith and Jaco Kriel provides the team with a solid defensive base and loads of options going forward. The high work rate of the forwards is what makes the brilliant style possible and we can expect to see more of the same.
The backline will see players constantly battle for spaces with Janse van Rensburg, Mnsisi, Vorster and Mapoe looking to secure a starting berth in midfield. The Lions will be hoping that Elton Jantjies and Ross Cronje can continue their Super Rugby form and forget about the trouble they experienced on the International stage.
Conclusion:
The Lions have not lost to South African or Australian opposition in two years and have beaten all the New Zeeland sides at least once in the past two seasons. If they can continue playing their destructive style of running rugby and keep calm in the big games we could expect a very good season from the men from Johannesburg.
Emirates Airline Park will be full of optimism and the Lions are expected to clinch the South African conference and once again look to seal a home ground advantage in the latter stages of the tournament. Conference prediction 1st Overall 2nd or 1st.
What do you think who will win the South African Conference? Are you as excited about the new season as I am? Who are your players to watch?
The preview of the other two conferences is on it's way!
Sources:
https://sanzarrugby.com/superrugby/teams/
SA Rugby Magazine
Image Sources:
https://www.elintransigente.com/deportes/rugby/2017/1/5/confirmaron-plantel-jaguares-417970.html
http://www.sarugbymag.co.za/blog/details/jaguares-power-past-waratahs
http://www.sarugbymag.co.za/blog/details/bulls-outplay-chiefs
https://thestormers.com/kolisi-to-lead-dhl-stormers-in-2017/
http://www.superxv.com/sharks-beat-sunwolves-qualify-super-rugby-play-offs/
https://www.rugbypass.com/news/lions-state-uncertainty-super-rugby-2018-preview/
https://www.iol.co.za/sport/rugby/marx-on-the-bench-for-lions-currie-cup-clash-2073482
https://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/SuperRugby/special-willemse-must-back-his-instincts-20170720
https://www.behance.net/gallery/50075097/Vodacom-Super-Rugby-Wallpapers