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SupeRugby Rookies - Part 2

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Super Rugby Rookies

Part Two – The South African Rookies



Dan Carter. Will Genia. Schalk Burger. World class players know by all rugby follows. However, even these great players were once relatively unknown rookies. In this series we examine a number of young players yet to make their Super Rugby debuts, but who have the potential to develop into world class players in the future. In the second of the series we look at five South African rookies who are set to announce themselves on the Super Rugby stage this season, and could potentially take the Super Rugby tournament by storm.

CJ Stander (Bulls)
Age: 21
Position: No.8


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The Blue Bulls from Pretoria are very much in a rebuilding - or as some Bulls fans will have you believe a 'just-wait-and-see' phase. With international stars of the likes of Guthro Steenkamp, Bakkies Botha, Victor Matfield, Fourie du Preez, Gary Botha and Danie Rossouw all calling it a day in the light blue (and soon to be pink - sorry, I couldn't help myself) jersey it is both a nervous and exciting time to be a Bulls fan. Exciting because of the glimpses of brilliance shown by some rookie players in the Super Rugby off-season. One of the most promising of these is CJ Stander, the 21 year-old number 8 originally from George, Eastern Province.

Standing 1.88m (6'2) and weighing 106kg (16st 10lb), Stander is a very powerful young player. One of two young new Bulls No.8's that captained the Junior Springboks at the JRWC recently (the other being Arno Botha in 2011), Stander is
an ever-present menace both in attack and defense, and for a big guy he really has a great work rate. Running 30m in just a split under 4 seconds he is a match for captain Pierre Spies' athleticism. He relishes utilising his mobility in defense as much as in attack and is regularly one of the first at the breakdown if he is not the tackler.

There is fierce competition in the Bulls loose forward department this season, though with the recent injury to
experienced hand Dewald Potgieter there is a position available in the starting trio. CJ Standers man of the match performance in the Bulls' last outing of the off-season against the Pumas, where he showcased his all-round ability by crashing over for a try at short range, displayed clever support play and distribution, and showed great commitment in defense, should see CJ get the nod ahead of the other worthy contenders in Arno Botha (another name to remember) and Warwick Tecklenberg.


Johan Goosen [Johannes Lodewikus Goosen] (Cheetahs)
Age: 19
Position: Flyhalf


Johan+Goosen+Ireland+v+South+Africa+IRB+Junior+T8_SYlAb8b1l.jpg


Bloemfontein has always been a factory for producing some of South Africa's toughest no-nonsense Springboks, and the Cheetahs, who are too cash strapped to keep hold of many of their most promising young players, look to have carried on this tradition. It is then no surprise that they have uncovered the young man that many believe and hope to be the 'next big thing' in South African rugby; a kind of rugby-messiah in a no.10 jersey. Johan Goosen, born in Burgersdrop, Eastern Province, is a young man with the nations hopes on his shoulders.

At 1.85m (6'1) and 87kg (13st 10lb), Goosen is not huge by modern day rugby standards, but more than holds his own on the rugby field. Goosen is
product of the undisputed leader in SA schools rugby, Grey College in Bloemfontein, and like his alma mater Frans Steyn he kicks 67m field goals in his stride (well, at least one 67m field goal in top flight rugby) and with probably greater accuracy. However that is not the primary reason many pundits in South Africa are excited by the young prospect though, and neither is his rock solid defense in the no.10 channel. The thing that gets most South African pundits going is the fact that Goosen, even at the tender age of 19, seems to be possessed of a rugby brain and all-round playing ability the likes of which South Africa has last seen in the no.10 jersey in.... well, never. Goosen is the type of 10 that looks to create play and put those around him in space as much as kick the leather off the ball, and has the eye and turn of speed to take a gap himself if the opportunity presents itself.

Goosen was a revelation in last years Currie Cup, and looks to have the Cheetahs number 10 jersey sewn up for 2011. Here and there
he still makes the odd blunder in terms of option taking but with experience, and if he does not get 'over-coached' or overawed by the extra pressures of Super Rugby, many in South Africa wouldn't be surprised to see him in at least a number 21 Green-and-Gold jersey by the end of the year.


Callie-Theron Visagie (Lions)
Age: 23
Position: Hooker


Callie Visagie Matie aksie.jpg


With the Lions all ready having a very young squad, coach John Mitchell has rather looked to sign experienced campaigners from outside the Lions fold to bolster the inexperienced group he has had to work with. Players such as Butch James, Wikus van Heerden and CJ van der Linde have been looked too to bring that poise that only experience imparts. For the Lions then its not so much a question of which rookies will come through the ranks, rather will the rookies who were given a chance last season carry their Currie Cup success through in a much tougher competition with level playing fields? That said, their newest rookie recruit hooker Callie Visagie deserves some introduction. Born in Paarl, Western Cape, Visagie is an experienced campaigner in age group and varsity rugby, having been captain of sucessful Paarl Boys High, the WP champion u19 and u21 teams, as well as leading the Maties of Stellenbosch University to 3 straight championships in FNB varsity rugby. Visagie opted to turn
down a WP/Stormers contract last year in favor of finalising his degree (B.Acc Hons) at US. His tertiary qualifications now taken care of, he has joined the Currie Cup champion Lions pack in their aims to take their Currie Cup form to challenge for higher honors in Super Rugby.

At 1.89m (6'2) and 108kg (17st) Visagie is a tall and powerful hooker. Apart from his obvious leadership skills, the Lions have acquired in Visagie a hooker equally as adept at the technical skills required of a hooker as a player who gets involved around the pitch. His bustling presence saw him wearing pink pants more often than not at Varsity Cup level (an award for the MVP of the previous match; to highlight a player to watch out for).

With last seasons first-choice hooker Bandise Maku ruled out for 6 months after shoulder surgery, Visagie finds himself in a three way race with Martin Bezuidenhout and Edgar Marutlulle for the Lions number 2 jersey. With Super Rugby being a marathon, rather than a sprint, we will likely see Visagie have his chance to show whether he can translate age group pedegree into the 'real deal'.


Marcell Coetzee (Sharks)
Age: 20
Position: Flanker / No.8


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Born in Potchefstroom, Northwest Province, the 20 year-old Marcell Coetzee is no a stranger to skipping steps on the path to top flight rugby. The young and explosive no.8 and flanker skipped the under 21 ranks to be one of the Banana boy's most consistent performers in the senior ranks in the 2011 Currie Cup, and those consistant performances saw him in the starting XV as an all-action bolter. If he can continue the form that brought him here, and manage to make a contribution in the tighter games that are sure to come along, he may be a possible bolter in Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer Springboks squad for the mid year against England.

Standing 1.91m (6'3) and weighing 106kg (16st 10lb) Coetzee is a player at his best with ball in hand. Coetzee should fancy his chances within the Sharks' gameplan of ball-in-hand rugby and interplay between forwards and backs. Not just a crashball merchant or a straight line speedster, Coetzee has the hands and feel for space that is the envy of many a senior backline player, and it will be interesting to see him operate in a somewhat experimental Sharks line-up.

As probably the best placed of the South African sides to make an impact in this years tournament, the Sharks have the most settled squad, and is the one South African team where young stars may struggle to get serious gametime. Yet injuries to key men in the loose forward department - Jean Deysel and Willem Alberts - have left the door open for Marcell Coetzee, who has been a surprise (though not a very big surprise) inclusion in the starting XV for the Shark's opening game against rival the Blue Bulls in Pretoria on Friday night. Alongside fellow speedy loose forwards Ryan Kankowski and captain Keegan Daniel the Sharks will be looking to run the Bulls off their feet and shift the contact points, and on the dry summer highveld pitches Coetzee's support game and polished carrying game could well come into it's own. Coetzee will be out to stake a claim to the starting position and make it difficult for coach John Plumtree to relegate him to the bench once the incumbents return from injury.


Siya Kolisi (Stormers)
Age: 20
Position: Flanker


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South Africa's conference winner in last year's installment of Super Rugby has faced a bit of a player drain itself in the off-season. However unlike the Blue Bulls it saw not only tried and tested warhorses (Fourie, Louw, Van Zyl) retire and/or move on to greener pastures, but lost a whole raft of promising academy and local varsity rookies who opted to pursue their careers elsewhere where they might get gametime sooner, or just opted for broadening their horizons (Callie Visagie, Johann Sadie, Lionel Cronje, Conrad Hoffmann, JJ Engelbrecht, Paul Bosch, Tim Whitehead). Of the young guns remaining in Province, 20 year-old flanker Siya Kolisi is the most likely to feature this season. Another son of the Eastern Province having to ply his trade elsewhere, with the Kings not yet having representation in Super Rugby, Kolisi was spotted and offered a place by other franchises as well, but decided to make Cape Town his home-away-from-home.

At 1.86m (6'1) and 98kg (15st 6lb) Kolisi is a very athletic player with good pace and a linking game that is somewhat rare in more traditional South African loosies. All rounder is the term that springs to mind when I think of the way he plays his rugby, as well as daring and unfettered. Kolisi brings a dynamic element to the Stormers fold that can only be good for the franchise.

Kolisi was quite literally robbed of his debut in Super Rugby last year; he was flown in from the JRWC to cover for the injured Duane Vermeulen, but was mugged and injured in the week leading up to the Semi final against the Crusaders in Cape Town. He is set to feature for the men in the hooped jerseys this year, with Springbok flanker Francois Louw opting to take up a position with Bath in England. Though the Stormers have some strong loose-forward talent at there disposal in 2012, with the likes of Nick Koster, Schalk Burger, and Duane Vermeulen, look for Kolisi to make his mark off of the bench sooner rather than later this year.

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Look out for Part Three of the Super Rugby Rookies series – The Australian Rookies - coming soon…



(all photos courtesy of Getty images)



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Great blog there stormer2010:)

Kolisi seems quite small compared to your average South African loose-forward (listed at 98kg) - do you think that he has the size and physicality to compete at this level? Also what do you see as his best position? I note he's played mainly at 7 (with the odd game at 8) at Currie Cup/Vodacom Cup level, but given his size/athleticism I was thinking he may have a future as an openside...
 
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Nice sum up! But no space for S'bura...?

EDIT: Oh sorry one player for each team I see! Then I would agree with Coetzee

Great blog there stormer2010:)

Kolisi seems quite small compared to your average South African loose-forward (listed at 98kg) - do you think that he has the size and physicality to compete at this level? Also what do you see as his best position? I note he's played mainly at 7 (with the odd game at 8) at Currie Cup/Vodacom Cup level, but given his size/athleticism I was thinking he may have a future as an openside...

From what I've seen of Kolisi he seems to that 'natural strength' about him, he is certainly a big guy, also the Stormers website lists him at 1.87m, 101kg. I would say he'd stay at 7, although that depends on where Burger plays I guess.

BTW I'm pretty sure the pic at the top is Taute and not Stander?
 
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This is a different photo, looks like the same guy. Doesn't look like Taute on the blog

CJ-Stander-inaction-110819G300.JPG
 
This is a different photo, looks like the same guy. Doesn't look like Taute on the blog

CJ-Stander-inaction-110819G300.JPG

Ah, I'm glad you think it is Stander too :)

I organised the photos in the blog (so it is my fault if there are any mistakes ;)), and since I have no idea what any of the players were meant to look like I just had to hope that they were identified correctly in the photo!
 
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Nice sum up! But no space for S'bura...?

EDIT: Oh sorry one player for each team I see! Then I would agree with Coetzee

Helluva difficult to pick who to review. Other guys I strongly considered: Sithole and Marais for the Sharks, Venter and Botha from the Bulls and Etzebeth for the Stormers. Cheetahs was always just going to be about Goosen LOL while Taute at the Lions almost can't be called a rookie anymore LOL.



From what I've seen of Kolisi he seems to that 'natural strength' about him, he is certainly a big guy, also the Stormers website lists him at 1.87m, 101kg. I would say he'd stay at 7, although that depends on where Burger plays I guess.

BTW I'm pretty sure the pic at the top is Taute and not Stander?

I'm sure none of these kg/cm stats are exactly accurate; I got different stats from different websites and went with the stats from one that seemed to be most accurate. Not the biggest guy but big enough IMO. His biggest strengths for me is his linking game and mobility. I can't seem to recall whether he is either good or bad at the breakdown so it's probably somewhere i the middle. The Stormers without an out and out fetcher means the entire pack need to contribute and Kolisi should form a part of the collective in this regard. He certainly gets through some work so I'm sure he will adapt and grow into the openside role as he has slowly but surely made the move allready from playing 8 at school to being shifted to flank for the JRWC and WP/Stormers pre-season and he seemed very comfortable in a roaming role from what I could see.
 
Would've loved to see your write-up on Etzebeth as this guy is the standout performer for me in the Stormers team the last 2 weeks in the forwards pack...

He's big, strong, mobile and doesn't take crap from anybody!! a Young Bakkies Botha in the making indeed!!
 
Would've loved to see your write-up on Etzebeth as this guy is the standout performer for me in the Stormers team the last 2 weeks in the forwards pack...

He's big, strong, mobile and doesn't take crap from anybody!! a Young Bakkies Botha in the making indeed!!

From what I've seen of him he looks an awesome prospect, certain to pick up 30+ caps for the Springboks.
 
Would've loved to see your write-up on Etzebeth as this guy is the standout performer for me in the Stormers team the last 2 weeks in the forwards pack...

He's big, strong, mobile and doesn't take crap from anybody!! a Young Bakkies Botha in the making indeed!!

It was 50/50 but I thought Kolisi would get actual gametime sooner. Yeah, very excited about Etzebeth (and the fact that the Stormers are for once looking to retain a young player with massive potential); I can't see AC not play him at 4 even when Elstadt is fit. With Schalk injured and Louw in England it might be worth it to keep Elstadt on the bench as extra cover for the loose forwards because if either of Vermeulen, Kolisi or Koster get injured before Burger is fit again we are foooked although I might be shortselling Carr who is a handy loosie.
 
Carr and Etsebeth on the bench as cover, apparently Etsebeth is equally good at 5 and Andries Bekker wil need to be rested at some stage
 
I have been jealous of the Stormers for having Bekker, now it's even worse seeing Etzebeth playing. Man, we could really use one of your locks. Want to trade? We have some loosies to offer.
 
I agree with all the Etzebeth praise - he is (very) big, (very) strong, and certainly our "Bakkies of the future"...maybe even better! :)

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Happy with this blog especially as it bought Coetzee into my fantasy team.:D
 
Happy with this blog especially as it bought Coetzee into my fantasy team.:D

LOL, happy to help out. I've kept Coetzee on the bench myself behind Koster and lost out on a few points because of it.


Good news for Stormers fans is that all our rookies in Eben Etzebeth, Siya Kolisi and props Steven Kitshoff and Frans Malherbe have signed 4 year contratcs.
 

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