Section X
Blue Bulls
Coaches: Heyneke Meyer/Mike Bayly
Squad
HeiniAdams, Richard Bands, Stefan Basson, Bakkies Botha, Ettienne Botha, Gary Botha, Lodie Britz, Warren Brosnihan, Danie Coetzee, Jacques Cronje, Hennie Daniller, Marius Delport, Danwel Demas, Fourie du Preez, Adriaan Fondse, Keegan Fredericks, Bryan Habana, Derick Hougaard, Andries Human, Anton Leonard (capt), John Mametsa, Victor Matfield, JP Nel, Wynand Olivier, Gavin Passens, Johan Roets, Wessel Roux, Pierre Spies, Gurthro Steenkamp, Morne Steyn, Adriaan Strauss, Kennedy Tsimba, Riaan van der Bergh, Kobus van der Walt, Francois van Schouwenberg, Ruan Vermeulen, Pedrie Wannenburg, Johan Wasserman
Transfers
In: Heinie Adams (SWD), Danwell Demas (Pumas), Bryan Habana (Lions), Gurthro Steenkamp (Cheetahs)
Out: Tenk Hendriks (Falcons), Norman Jordaan (France), Piet Krause (Falcons), Odwa Ndungane (Natal), Gideon Roux (Griffons), Gavin September (Boland), Luvo Sogidashe (Border), Louis Strydom (Falcons), Dewey Swartbooi (Cheetahs), Sias Wagner (SWD), Frikkie Welsh (Bath, England), Bian Vermaak (Cheetahs), Senithemba Zweni (Pumas)
Player to watch: Morne Steyn
The find of the Super 12 will be hoping to cement his place as first choice flyhalf for the Blue Bulls in the Currie Cup.
Boland Kavaliers
Coach: Hawies Fourie
Squad
Claude Arendse, Corrie Avenant, Jacques Badenhorst, Rayno Benjamin, Charl Blom, Fabian Brandt, Angelo Brinkhuys, Conrad Burke, Renfred Dazel, David de Villiers, Tommy Dixon, Henley du Plessis, Ruaan du Preez, Jaco du Toit, Henk Eksteen, Jaco Engels, Solly Goosen, Kobus le Roux, Kobus Meintjies, Jonghi Nokwe, Neil Papier, Patrick Petersen, Chris Potgieter, Francois Prinsloo, Gustav Rademeyer, Maurice Reed, Louw Schabort, Gavin September, Nicky Smit, Enrico Swartz, Pieter Terblanche, Piet van Zyl,Antonius Verhoeven, Pieter Wium
Transfers
In: Corrie Avenant (Griquas), Gavin September (Blue Bulls), Enrico Swartz (Natal)
Out: None
Player to watch: Jonghi Nokwe
Much was made of Nokwe's pace when he was a shock Bok selection last year although injury denied him any game time.
Falcons
Coach: John Williams
Squad
Brendon April, Neil Barnard, Jacques Booysen, Nkabana Chaco, Hanno Coetzee, Trevor Crouse, Rudi Durandt, Pieter Grobler, Riaan Hefer, Tenk Hendriks, Gustav Japhta, Zane Killian, Eugene Kinghorn, Barrabas Koen, Piet Krause (capt),Andries Kruger, Jacques Lombard, Ricardo Loubscher, Leon Lubbe, Nico Luus, Jacques Niewenhuis, Dean Okkers, Sean Plaatjies, Jaco Pretorius, Willem Slabbert, Hennie Stapelberg, Jaco Strachan, Deon Strydom, Louis Strydom, Frikkie Swart, Ivan van Rooyen, Roelof Viljoen, Gavin Whittingham
Transfers
In: Rudi Durandt (Griquas), Tenk Hendriks (Blue Bulls), Piet Krause (Blue Bulls), Ricardo Loubscher (Natal), Sean Plaatjies (Lions), Jaco Pretorius (Lions), Jaco Strachan (Lions), Louis Strydom (Blue Bulls)
Out: Stephan Britz (Border), Gunder Williamson (Leopards)
Player to watch: Louis Strydom
Seeing his path at the Blue Bulls blocked, Strydom has moved down the R21 to kickstart his career at the Falcons.
Golden Lions
Coach Frans Ludeke
Squad
Roland Bernard, Jaco Booysen, Schalk Brits, Rudi Coetzee, John Daniels, Grant Esterhuizen, Nick Eyre, Pietie Ferreira, Jaque Fourie, Nel Fourie, Gordon Gilfillan, Cobus Grobbelaar, Cobus Grobler, Trevor Hall, Wylie Human, Marius Hurter, Conrad Jantjes, Enrico Januarie, Ernst Joubert, Wayne Julies, Heinrich Kok, Doppies la Grange, Jannes Labuschagne, Jorrie Muller, Baksteen Nell, Andre Pretorius, Marius Schoeman, Lawrence Sephaka, Oginga Siwundla, Tiaan Snyman, Willem Stoltz, Kleinjan Tromp, Lukas van Biljon, Wikus van Heerden, Schalk van der Merwe, James van der Walt, Pietman van Niekerk, Quintin van Tonder, GerhardVosloo, AshwinWillemse, Russell Winter
Transfers
In: Grant Esterhuizen (Bourgoin, France),Wylie Human (Northampton, England), Marius Hurter (Newcastle, England), Wayne Julies (SWD)
Out: Gcobani Bobo (Natal), Basil de Doncker (EP), Bryan Habana (Blue Bulls), Dean Hall (Natal), JB Heckroodt (Pumas), Jaco Pretorius (Falcons), Faan Rautenbach (WP), Jaco Strachan (Falcons)
Player to watch:Wylie Human
He moved back to Ellis Park to add his scoring touch out wide to a potent looking Lions backline.
Mighty Elephants
Coach: Phil Pretorius
Squad
Deon Booysen, Willie Bouwer, Basil de Doncker, Rory Duncan, Vuyani Dlomo, Barend du Plessis, Clayton Gawie, Drikus Hancke, Sebastian Hilpert, Dean Hopp, Chris Jonck, Fabian Juries, Mike la Grange, James Leuner, Elroy Ligman, Baldwin McBean, Monwabisi Mdyesha, Yongama Mkaza, Lubabalo Mzwakali, Justin Peach, JJ Pienaar, Paul Serfontein, Bertus Smit, Kenneth Snodgrass, Anton van der Westhuizen, Reghaardt van Eck, Wayne van Heerden, Clinton van Rensburg, Eugene van Staden, Sam Willard
Transfers
In: Basil de Doncker (Lions), Dandre Gerber (Pumas)
Natal Sharks
Coach: Dick Muir
Squad
Skipper Badenhorst, Gcobani Bobo, Jacques Botes, Brendon Botha, Nico Breedt, Warren Britz, Deon Carstens, Werner Cronje, Craig Davidson, Bismarck du Plessis, Wian du Preez, Jaco Gouws, Dean Hall, Brett Hennessy, Braam Immelman, Adrian Jacobs, Butch James, Rudi Keil, Tsepo Kokoali, Herkie Kruger, Louwtjie Louw, Henno Mentz, Cedric Mkhize, Johan Muller, Odwa Ndungane, Bennie Nortje, Sandile Nxumalo, Ruan Pienaar, Brent Russell, Danie Saayman, John Smit, Scott Spedding, Mzwandile Stick, Albert van den Berg, Dave van Hoesslin, Johan van Zyl, AJ Venter
Transfers
In: Skipper Badenhorst (Pumas), Jacques Botes (Pumas), Gcobani Bobo (Lions), Warren Britz (Newcastle, England), Bismarck du Plessis (Cheetahs), Jaco Gouws (SWD), Dean Hall (Lions), Tsepo Kokoali (Cheetahs), Ruan Pienaar (Cheetahs), Danie Saayman (Pumas), Dave van Hoesslin (Harlequins, England)
Out: Conrad Barnard (Italy), Eduard Coetzee (France), Trevor Halstead (Munster, Ireland), Paul Hoffman (Pumas), Sam Gerber (Pumas), Deon Kayser (retired), Ricardo Loubscher (Falcons), Shaun Sowerby (Stade Francais, France), Solly Tyibilika (Griquas), Charl van Rensburg (Brive, France), Luke Watson (WP)
Player to watch: Butch James
If fit he can be the difference between mediocrity and the Sharks progressing.
SWD Eagles
Coach Johan Lerm
Squad
Connie Botha, Ashley Buys, Bossie Clarke, Darryl Coeries, Danie de Beer, Tewis de Bruin, Bevan Fortuin, Alten Hulme, Barry Jacobsz, Randile Julies, Charl Kitching, Evert Kleynhaus, PJ Kock, Morn Kruger, Warren Malgas, Daniel Philander, Ricardo Pietersen, Jeremy Plaatjies, Devon Raubenheimer, Isak Saayman, Ashwin Scott, Brendon Snyman, Danie Thiart, Bennie van Vuuren, Bloues Volschenk, Sias Wagner, Spencer Wakeling, Gavin Williamson, Gareth Wright
Transfers
In: Sias Wagner (Blue Bulls), Gareth Wright (WP)
Out: Heinie Adams (Blue Bulls), Kabamba Floors (FS), Jaco Gouws (Natal), Gavin Hume (Perpignan, France), Wayne Julies (Lions), Donovan Raw (Pumas), Riaan Thomas (retired), Rynhard van As (retired)
Player to watch: Spencer Wakeling
He not only looks like Brent Russell, he plays a bit like him.
Section Y
Border Bulldogs
Coach: Dumisani Mhani
Squad
Stephan Britz, Michael Coetzee, Werner Coetzer, Leandro Combrink, Bruce Cummings, Delarey du Preez, Mark Els, Braden Ferreira, Ian Fihlani, Josh Fowles, Ross Geldenhuys, Reinhardt Gerber, Derek Hendry, Hugo Horn, Barend Jacobs, Fergus Kennedy, Duane Kirton, Jonathan Kruger, Pietie Loots, Alastair Lyon, Tiger Mangweni, Dumisani Matyeshana, Vusi Mbulali, Allan Miles, Mzimasi Milwana, Thembani Mkokeli, Zolani Mofu, Randall Morrison, Lonwabo Mtimka, Samkelo Mtotywa, Vido Nako, Dru Nass, Akona Ndungane, Zola Qotoyi, James Richards, Adam Robertson, Luvo Sogidashe, Eddie Swart, Amandla Stofile, Dylan Swartz, Siyabonga Tshemese, Marcel van der Walt
Transfers
In: Stephan Britz (Falcons), Delarey du Preez (Gloucester, England), Bruce Cummings (Griquas), Luvo Sogidashe (Blue Bulls)
Player to watch: Akona Ndungane
A stand-out player for the Bulls in this year's Super 12, Ndungane will want to prove that he is Springbok material.
Free State Cheetahs
Coach: Rassie Erasmus
Squad
Jandre Blom, Meyer Bosman, Michael Claassens, Jacques Claassens, Jaco du Toit,Willem de Waal, Naka Drotske, Os du Randt, Pierre du Randt, Boela du Plooy, Jannie du Plessis,Wian du Preez, Kabamba Floors, Eddie Fredericks, Barry Goodes, Alwyn Hollenbach, Dale Heidtman, Chris Kruger, Ollie le Roux, Friedrich Lombard, Darron Nell, Lukhanyo Nonntshinga, Kaunda Ntjunda, Noel Oelschig, Barend Pieterse, Anton Pitout, Hendro Scholtz, Juan Smith, MJ Smith, Showan Smith, Andries Strauss, Dewey Swartbooi, CJ van der Linde, Ryno van der Merwe, Corniel van Zyl, Chappie van Vliet, Jaco van Schalkwyk, Bian Vermaak, Riaan Vermeulen, Rich Verster, Marco Wentzel
Transfers
In: Kabamba Floors (Eagles), Dale Heidtmann (Pumas), MJ Smith (Pumas), Dewey Swartbooi (Blue Bulls), Bian Vermaak (Blue Bulls), Corniel van Zyl (Pumas)
Out: Gerrie Britz (WP),Tonderai Chavhanga (WP), Rassie Erasmus (retired), Isak Job (Griffons), Gromingo Mzunga (Leopards), Hanyani Shimange (WP), Lionel Walker (Griffons)
Player to watch: Kabamba Floors
The little whippet will be an industrious performer, playing a crucial linking role between forwards and backs.
Griffons
Coach: Harry Pienaar
Squad
Ricardo Arnolds, Shaun Botha, Willie Conradie, Ossie Damons, Schalk de Klerk, Jaun de Witt, CJ duToit, Gerhard Dekker, Chrisjan Fourie,Tienie Goosen, Sandile India, Isak Job, David Johnson, Werner Loftus, Jaco Louw, Tobela Mdaka, Jandre Mynhart, John Okkers, Claudis Pamplin, Vick Phiri, Bertie Powell, Collen Radebe, Jep Ras, Kholekile Ralo, Ethienne Reynecke, Gideon Roux, Balla Slabbert, Jaco Steenberg, Dennis Terblanche, JD Toerien, Bennie van Blerk, Leonard van der Merwe, Chef van Niekerk, Innes van Rooyen, Morner van Zyl, Okkie van Zyl, Lionel Walker, Hafies Walters
Transfers
In: Isak Job (Cheetahs), Gideon Roux (Blue Bulls), Lionel Walker (Cheetahs)
Out: Bernard Rabe (Leopards)
Player to watch: Thobela Mdaka
A star with the Springbok Sevens team, Mdaka has blistering pace and wonderful skills.
Griquas
Coach: Gysie Pienaar
Squad
Jackie Bock, Alshaun Bock, Evan Botha, Ruan Botha, Brendell Brandt, Jacques Burger, Bronwyn Buys, Deswill Claasen, Donovan Cumberledge, Christophe du Toit, Jan du Toit, Joe Esterhuyzen, Bobby Joubert, JP Joubert, Zane Kirchner, Gareth Krause, Johan Kruger, Tiaan Liebenberg, MJ Mentz, Alfred Mtomxa, Eben Olivier, Tappie Prinsloo, Cerneels Rautenbach, Johannes Rooifontein, Gert Rossouw, Xavier Scholtz, Pieter Sterrenberg, Heinrich Stride, Duimpie Theron, Nicky van der Walt, Tinus van Rensburg, Windpomp van Rooyen, Lodie van Staden, Braam van Straaten, Francois Viljoen,Willie Wepener, Hedley Wessels
Transfer
In: Chumani Booi (Pumas), MJ Mentz (Leopards), Francois Viljoen (Leopards)
Out: Corrie Avenant (Boland), Bruce Cummings (Border), Rudi Durandt (Falcons), Bertus Heunis (Leopards), Phillip van Schalkwyk (France)
Player to watch: Windpomp van Rooyen
The big lock is a superb line-out jumper, has a great workrate, and has tasted Super 12 rugby with the Cats.
Leopards
Coach: Jacques Swanepoel
Squad
Frans Conradie, Ronnie Cooke, Warren de Bruin, Regardt Dreyer, Greyling Erasmus, Stephan Gerber, Barry Geel, Ryno Germishuys, Rayno Hendricks, Bertus Heunis, Juan Isaks, Ampie Lauwrens, Werner Lessing, Edrich Linde, Petros Methula, Corne Meyer, Jonathan Mokuena, Gerhard Mostert, Gromingo Mzunga, Nelis Nel, Naas Olivier, Flippie Pienaar, Bernard Rabe, Frank Redelinghuys, Herschel Roman, Bees Roux, Anvor Schooney, Martin Sithole, Willie Smith, Hannes Snyman, Andre Swanepoel, Bertus Swanepoel, Jean Tiedt, Retief Uys, Franco van der Merwe, Pellow van der Weshuizen, Hans van Dyk, Andries van Rensburg, Piet van Rensburg, Theo van Wyk, Freddie van Zyl, Jannie Viljoen, Gunder Williamson
Transfers
In: Bertus Heunis (Griquas), Gromingo Mzunga (Cheetahs), Bernard Rabe (Griffons), Gunder Williamson (Falcons)
Out: Francois Viljoen (Griquas)
Player to watch: Jonathan Mokuena
Has been in superb form for the Springbok Sevens team and was a catalyst for victory in London, during the IRB Sevens series.
Pumas
Coach: Chris Grobler
Squad
Ettienne Barnard, Grant Bartle, Franco Cloete, Jan Cloete, Cilliers Coetzee, Shaun Coetsee, Tim Dlulane, Martin Engelbrecht, Jeandr Fourie, Johannes Franklin, Quinton Geldenhuys, Sam Gerber, Jaco Hanekom, Robert Harris, JB Heckroodt, Carel Hoffman, Paul Hoffman, Paul Jordaan, Denzel Manuel, Sasha Marot,Tiaan Marx, Jacques Muller, Douw Oosthuizen, Giscard Pieters, Botter Pieters, Donovan Raw, Pierre Ribbens, Shaun Ruwers,Walla Schoeman, Casper Steyn, Hyron Thysse, Neil Visagie, Ashieq Wise, Shaun van Rensburg, Francois Visser, Sinethemba Zweni
Transfers
In: Sam Gerber (Natal), Paul Hoffman (Natal), Donovan Raw (Eagles), Shaun van Rensburg (Coventry, England), Sinethemba Zweni (Blue Bulls)
Out: Skipper Badenhorst (Sharks), Christo Bezuidenhout (Gloucester, England), Chumani Booi (Griquas), Jacques Botes (Sharks), Rudi Britz (EP), Dandr Gerber (EP), Dale Heidtmann (Cheetahs), Jaques Schutte (Sharks), Danie Saayman (Sharks), MJ Smith (Cheetahs), Corniel van Zyl (Cheetahs), CallieWannenburg (Sharks)
Player to watch: Casper Steyn
The veteran will kick 95 percent of his kicks and adds much needed experience to a young Pumas side.
Western Province
Coaches: Kobus van der Merwe, Gary Gold, Jerome
Paarwater
Squad
Eddie Andrews,Adri Badenhorst, Pat Barnard, De Wet Barry, Pieter Benade, Andries Bekker, Gerrie Britz, Schalk Burger, Tertius Carse, Tonderai Chavhanga, Bolla Conradie, Quinton Davids, Neil de Kock, Paul Delport, Jean de Villiers, Gaffie du Toit, Huia Edmonds, Hendrik Gerber, Peter Grant, Werner Greeff, David Hendricks, Rito Hlunwani, Marius Joubert, Leon Karemaker, Rob Linde, Louis Loubser, Pieter Louw, Justin Melck, JD Moller, Mpho Myobiso, Riaan Olckers, Johan Pietersen, Sarel Potgieter, Faan Rautenbach, Earl Rose, Chris Rossouw, Zhahier Ryland, Egon Seconds, Hanyani Shimange, Ross Skeate, Gus Theron, Corne Uys, Joe van Niekerk, Frank Wagenstroom, Luke Watson
Transfers
In: Gerrie Britz (Cheetahs), Hanyani Shimange (Cheetahs), Tonderai Chavhanga (Cheetahs), Luke Watson (Natal), Faan Rautenbach (Lions)
Out: Stefan Basson (Blue Bulls), Peter Dixon (Bath, England), Daan Human (France), Braam Immelman (Natal), Corne Krige (Northampton, England), Breyton Paulse (Clermont-Auvergne, France), Pieter Rossouw (retired), Tjoepie van der Heever (France), Gareth Wright (SWD)
Player to watch: Luke Watson
A brilliant allround footballer, Watson will lead from the front.