Super Rugby Week One: Five Things We Learned

Steynless Bulls Could Be In For A Struggle

Following the departure of key Flyhalf Morné Steyn to Stade Francais, it was always going to be a struggle for the Bulls to replace the 29 year-old superstar.

Then again, how can you replace the man who holds eight kicking records in Super Rugby?

The full extent of the job on Frans Ludeke’s hands was revealed on Saturday as the Bulls went down to a 31-16 defeat against their biggest rivals, the Sharks.

Morné Steyn was the Bulls’ key player (Image via PHParsons

There wasn’t so much a Steyn-shaped gap in the line-up, but instead a chasmic hole.

For a team whose style has relied heavily upon the presence of a quality kicker for so long, the Bulls struggled on the opening day in Durban.

Whilst Louis Fouché and Francois Hougaard both have a decent boot on them, Steyn was the metronome who provided the quality to elevate the three-times champions to another level.

The Bulls may have to accept a transitional season for 2014 as they get used to life without their former star.

Great White’s Sharks Are Contenders

One of the best signings in the off-season was done by the Sharks, who brought Jake White back to South Africa as Director of Rugby after two years in Australia.

The man who won the 2007 World Cup with South Africa guided the Brumbies to the final of the competition last season and has given fans reason for optimism ahead of the 2014 campaign.

The early signs are good, with a bonus-point victory over the Bulls leaving the Durban-based side at the top of the table after week one.

However, White claims that there is more to come from his side, saying: “We haven’t played as well as we could and yet we still got a bonus point. We can only get better.”

Plenty for the other 14 teams to be wary of as the Sharks try to become Super Rugby champions for the first time.

Le Roux Continues To Shine

After consolidating his breakout Super Rugby season in 2012 with an even more impressive 2013, big things are expected of Willie le Roux for the Cheetahs in 2014.

Six tries in 17 matches saw the 24 year-old called up to the South Africa squad and has impressed many with his unorthodox style in his 12 caps.

A creative force capable of turning any game on its head from the wing or at full-back, le Roux has been given a free reign this season by his coach, Naka Drotske, as the Cheetahs look to improve on their 6th-placed finish last time out.

Their season got off to a poor start, losing 21-20 to the Lions at home, but le Roux was in the thick of everything good for the Cheetahs, conjuring up the assists for both tries in the match.

The fans in Bloemfontein will hope for more magic from their mercurial talent as they take on the Bulls next Friday evening.

Kicking Is Crucial

It sounds so simple, but often the difference in a game is the quality of a kicker and the Cheetahs had to learn this lesson the hard way on Saturday afternoon as Marnitz Boshoff kicked all 21 points for the Lions in a shock win on their return to Super Rugby.

Dan Carter lines up a kick (Photo via Maree Reveley)

A late drop goal sealed the fate of Naka Drotske’s side, despite them breaching an inexperienced Lions line twice thanks to tries from Raymond Rhule and Cornal Hendricks.

As mentioned earlier with Morné Steyn, having a player whose boot can keep the scoreboard ticking over is invaluable and missed penalties from Flyhalf Johan Goosen proved costly after the hooter.

The Champions Mean Business

With the Super Rugby season starting next weekend for the Australian and New Zealand sides, this was a last chance to get a friendly in before the curtain raiser between the Crusaders and the Chiefs on Friday morning.

The defending champions took on the Blues and scored six tries in a 43-19 victory with Rhys Marshal, Sam Cane, Liam Messam, Nick Crosswell, James Lowe and Robbie Fruean all dotting down in Rotorua.

Although the Blues pulled the score back to 24-12 at the break thanks to a double from Charles Piutau, they were never really in the game and have plenty to do ahead of their battle with the Highlanders next weekend.

The champions, meanwhile, already look to be in imperious form ahead of their heavyweight clash in Christchurch.