SA Super Rugby teams are weak

I am very worried about our teams this year. Our pre-season favourites, The Sharks, have only had one decent performance this season, and that was against a hopeless Rebels. Outside that they have been thumped by the Brumbies, and only barely scraped home against the Stormers and Kings. I really can't see them beating the Crusaders either. The Cheetahs, currently our second best team, have done really well in the over seas leg, but have still only managed to beat the weakest teams in the tournament, so their log position is over-inflated. If they can carry the form into the bigger games I'll be over the moon, but I don't think they can. The Stormers have done nothing to indicate that they are good enough to make an impression. Maybe a little unlucky as far as injuries, but all teams have that hurdle to jump over. They lost at home to a weakend CARTERless Crusaders side that even with Carter managed to lose their first two games. The Bulls were not expected to do great things this year, and that is exactly what the are doing. Granted, they were unlucky with two away wins that slipped through their grasp, which would have changed the look of their campaigne. And While the ref could be blamed for both losses, their own team selections and use of substitutions is just as much to blame. The Kings were expected to be the whipping boys of this years tournament, and to their credit they have proven to be more competent than most expected. The problem is, they still aren't winning games (except for their win against a weak Force side)....and probably won't win anymore either. 

What will ignite a South African team to comeback and make a serious challenge in the tournament? Nothing that I can think of.

What does a typical FlouBul supporter and a typical Hapless Stompie supporter have in common?

They both like to think that whenever their overrated and crap teams are not performing (which is most of the time) that South African rugby is in deep trouble.

The Sharks are doing just fine with their 21 points and the Cheetahs have just had their best overseas tour ever. Keep it up manne!

They're fine. Its just a tough competition. This years Super 15 just has a lot more parity than in the years past. Look at the Aussie division where there are at least three of the five franchises that have the ability to seriously challenge any team with the Waratahs finally starting to come into their own. 

Highlanders are bottom of the log in their division, but look at the talent on that team. They will surprise some of the better teams this year. 

Agree Oimatey, SA teams aren't weak, the competition is stiffer, mix in trying to maintain intensity week to week and travelling and bang the playing field is levelled. Hope this puts to rest" which is the harder conference" looks like they all are.

the sa teams arent weak but the game pattern that they are playing wont be sustainable and wont bring us a super rugby comp. that is the sad truth. the chiefs and brumbies are to good right now and our teams are lack lustre on attack

Rooi, what you smoking? If you think the Sharks are performing well then you have pretty low standards. Considering the calibre of players in the Sharks squad, they should be cleaning up, not just hanging on by the skin of their teeth.

If hanging on by the skin of their teeth means they're topping the SA conference with a guaranteed playoff spot, then I'm quite happy if they continue hanging on by the skin of their teeth.

I want to add to what Cearpetmuncher is saying by supporting him - the problems in two of the teams (the Stormers and the Buls) are directly linked to two aspects -

  *   poor game plans; and

  *   poor selection of players.

Plumtree started of badly because of player selection as well and also a deficient execution of the game plan by their inside backline players.   The situation is improving though and would get better as the season progresses.

Nobody can really accuse the Cheetahs of poor performances.   They did well enough against the Sharks in Bloemfontein and well enough in the first 60 minute of the Chiefs game - until the jet lag took its toll on them.

The Kings at least shows some fighting spirit n the games they played in and tried hard all the time - despite a very limited squad.

I would say the worst performing team this year - taking into account player resources - is the Stormers.  Coetzee is buggering up both the selection strategy and game plan completely.   The selection deficiencies means that the Stromers are playing with a huge handicap in their backline  and with players that cannot properly implement any backline attacking process - even if as Coetzee said they want to play more attacking rugby.

The Bulls have their own problems - namely poor props and a fyhalf that still thinks that kicking is the alpha and omega of rugby.   There was an article on that issue in News 24 and I agree wholeheartedly with what is in that one.  Because of their kicking preferece - the Bulls outside backs - especially Serfontein, Engelbrecht and Visser (two of which are not even regulars in the team because of selection foul ups) do not get enough balls to play with.

The deficiencies can be fixed - but the coaching problems will have to be addressed first. 

Mike in essence I agree with you, especially regarding the Bulls and Stormers. It is so frustrating seeing the kind talented backs of both the Bulls and the Stormers being rendered useless because of poor strategy and team selection. Why Serfontein is not starting is beyond me. The bottom line is our teams are underperforming.

Oimatey, the Auzzies only have two teams to take seriously, Brumbies and Reds, the Tahs are anything but contenders. Theoretically, we should have four teams fighting it out for top spot, it is only the kings that don't have a sniff. But that is not the case, our teams are just not performing. Even the Sharks, despite what the apparently blind Rooi has to say. The Cheetahs are performing in excess of what is expected of them, and I think that that is down to a settled team that has a coach making the right calls regarding tactics and player selection. But having said that, when they have faced top opposition they have lost. I hope they keep their momentum and I would love to see them top our log....yes even over the Bulls, who I think have lost the plot.