Five SA Players To Watch

[Ryan Chinn]

The standard, pace and intensity of Super Rugby is the closest thing to Test rugby, making it the ultimate proving ground for players who aspire to play at the highest level.

The cutthroat nature of the cross-continental tournament distinguishes the good from the great. It’s where legends are born and dreams are shattered.

The smallest of weaknesses, a susceptible temperament or a split second’s lack of speed is cruelly exploited and curtails the careers of many budding young stars.

Only the strongest survive and continue their path to prominence. Victor Matfield, John Smit, Fourie du Preez, Richie McCaw and Dan Carter, modern legends of the game, were all groomed for greatness at Super Rugby level.

Every year, Super Rugby brings out the best in players and produces a wave of talented Test-calibre stars and this year’s edition will be no different. With that in mind, here are the five most promising South African players - one of each franchise - to keep an eye on this season.    

Bulls: Arno Botha. Botha captained the South African Under-20s at last year’s IRB Junior World Championship in Italy and was named the 2011 South African Under-20 Player of the Year after leading the Baby Boks with distinction.

A strong ball-carrying loose forward with a high work rate, expect the 20-year-old to soar to prominence in his maiden Super Rugby season.  

Cheetahs: Johan Goosen. Goosen is one of the most exciting talents to emerge in South African rugby over the past decade. The South African Under-20 star made the step up to Absa Currie Cup rugby with aplomb last year and established himself as a bona fide star of the future.

His penetrating running game at flyhalf has drawn comparisons to Springbok great Henry Honiball, while his tactical kicking prowess and rare ability to slot long-range penalties and drop goals make him one of the most polished pivots in South Africa.

Newly-appointed Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer will have a keen eye on the young Cheetahs sensation as he enters his maiden Super Rugby campaign this year. With such unlimited potential, a Springbok call-up in 2012 cannot be ruled out.

Lions: Jaco Taute. Another former South African Under-20 standout, Taute is arguably the best attacking fullback in the country, having topped the Lions’ try-scoring and metres gained stats last season.

A prototype of the modern fullback, he complements his strong running game with solid defence and good positional play. He has temperament beyond his years, making him a rock under the high ball, and possesses the rare ability to turn a game on its head with a piece of individual brilliance.  

Sharks: Marcell Coetzee. The explosive 21-year-old will enter his first full season of Super Rugby after making his Sharks debut in the home win over the Brumbies last year.

The all-action back rower consistently delivered top-class performances in his maiden Currie Cup campaign last year and has been earmarked as a potential future Springbok. 

Stormers: Rynhardt Elstadt. While Siya Kolisi is an equally exciting young talent, South Africa’s lack of quality enforcer locks and wealth of back row depth afford Elstadt an opportunity to build on the good form he showed in 2011 and stake a claim for the vacant Springbok number four jersey.