Jaguares

Coach: Raul Pérez
Ground: Estadio José Amalfitani

Key players in:
Benjamín Macome (Bayonne)

Key players out:
Lucas González Amorosino

Strengths:
An unchanged side with the majority of squad playing with the Argentinian national side last season as recently as November. This luxury will ensure they take a lot of consistency into this years season. Their wealth of experience upfront coupled with a significant number of exciting backline players, could be a season the Jaguares look to prove their naysayers wrong.

Weaknesses:
With a large injury list, the Jaguares will be missing the likes of Juan Martin Hernandez and Nicolas Sanchez in the early stages of the season. Without these two highly influential players, amongst others, the Jaguares might be tasting early defeat when they play the Stormers and Lions in rounds two and three respectively.

Player to watch:
Manuel Montero – The 25 year old, 6ft 4, 100kg monster unfortunately lost out on the majority of the Jaguares season due to injury, but he is back with plenty of pace to burn and will prove troublesome for many of his opposite numbers this season.

Last season: 13th

Prediction:
Although they have an unchanged side, sharing a group with last year’s losing finalists, The Lions as well as the new and improved Sharks, will see them miss out on the playoffs and settle with the same result as last year. 13th

Kings

Coach: Deon Davids
Ground: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium

Key players in:
Ross Geldenhuis (Highlanders), Schalk Van Der Merwe (Montpellier), Chris Heiberg (Force), Louis Schreuder (Stormers), Ruaan Lerm (Lions)

Key players out:
Sit Sithole (Lions), Edgar Marutlulle (Bulls), Steven Sykes (Oyonnax), Aidon Davis (Toulon), James Hall (Oyonnax), Louis Fouché (Kuboto Spears), Elgar Watts (Griquas), Lukhanyo Am (Sharks), Shane Gates (NTT Shining Arcs), Jeremy Ward (Sharks), Stefan Watermeyer (retired)

Strengths:
This years draw sees the Kings escape all Kiwi teams and take on the Australian franchises instead. With games against the Force, Rebels and Sunwolves, they may be able to string a few surprises together with the help of Super Rugby winner singing Ross Geldenhuys.

Weaknesses:
This Kings makeshift squad has little to no experience. The mass exodus has hindered the coastal side significantly and will have to start all over again in this years attempt at redemption.

Player to watch:
Wandile Mjekevu – Wandile’s three tries in four games announced his arrival at the Kings in 2016. The former Sharks man has yet to unleash his full potential for the PE based side and if he remains fit, the could be his season he does so.

Last season: 17th.

Prediction:
The Kings will be looking to erase their ‘underachievers’ tag this year but they will have to settle for last place in their conference and it will take something special to finish higher than they did last year. 17th.

Lions

Coach: Johan Ackerman
Ground: Ellis Park

Key players in:
Kwagga Smith (Sevens), Sti Sithole (Kings)

Key players out:
Julian Redelinghuys (injured), Warwick Tecklenburg (retired), Marnitz Boshoff (Connacht)

Strengths:
The Lions will face all the Australian franchises and none of the New Zealand teams during the conference phase. Ranking first in defenders beaten, meters run, points, tries and turnovers won in 2016, the Lions will want to replicate that form in 2017 to earn a top-placed finish and a home final.

Weaknesses:
Their defence leaked far too many tries last year. Their attempt to play an expansive, more running game meant they were exposed and ultimately out played by a better defensive team in the final. The loss of Ruan Combrinck for the first few rounds due to injury will hurt the Lions out wide.

Player to watch:
Kwagga Smith – The SA Sevens star is lethal with ball in hand and will inject a great amount of pace into the Lions style of play.

Last season: 2nd.

Prediction:
The Lions will go into this years tournament with a target on their back and a whole lot more pressure. Although they will top their conference, they will sadly fall short, only this year a round earlier. Semi Finals.

Sharks

Coach: Robert Du Preez
Ground: Kings Park

Key players in:
Lukhanyo Am (Kings), Jeremy Ward (Kings), Kobus van Wyk (Stormers), Clément Poitrenaud (Toulouse)

Key players out:
Willie Le Roux (Wasps), Joe Pietersen (Kamaishi Warriors), JP Pietersen (Leicester Tigers), Paul Jordaan (La Rochelle), Marcell Coetzee (Ulster), Kyle Cooper (Newcastle Falcons), Dale Chadwick (Narbonne)

Strengths:
The Sharks’ dominance will lie in the backline this year, and with stand in Springbok captain Patrick Lambie back, the 26 year old is set to shine once again. The breakdown was noticeably their strongest suit in last year’s campaign finishing the season ranked 1st for turnovers won, and with Jean-Luc Du Preez in the form of his life, the Sharks are set to continue their dominance in that discipline.

Weaknesses:
The front row is an issue for the boys from Durban. The Beast and co. had a tough time against most opposition trios last year and may face the same problems this year if they battle to find the right combinations up front.

Player to watch:
Curwin Bosch – The youngster donned the number 15 jersey for the Sharks’ entire domestic campaign at only 19 years of age. He got a small taste of Super Rugby in 2016 although only at home. He is ready to cement his place in the starting fifteen and provide the Sharks backline with some much-needed X-factor.

Last season: Quarter Final

Prediction:
Although they have a much easier road to the play-offs they will fall short at the quarter-final hurdle once again. Quarter Finals.

By Tristan Renaud