Springbok Bryan Habana will be a notable absentee when Northern Bulls launch their defense of the Super 14 title this weekend. The 2007 World Rugby Player of the Year has been lured to rivals Western Stormers after helping the Bulls win the southern hemisphere championship twice in the last three seasons.
A last-gasp Habana try snatched victory over Coastal Sharks in an all-South Africa 2007 decider and he crossed the line twice last May in the final rout of Waikato Chiefs. The blow of losing Habana has been softened slightly by the return from Japan of utility back Jaco van der Westhuyzen while former hooker Gary Botha has quit England to bolster the pack.
Locks Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha have no peers in world rugby, No. 8 Pierre Spies is a fearsome sight when he storms toward the tryline and the champions can choose their hooker from three top-class performers.
After visiting Central Cheetahs today, Bulls have four consecutive home fixtures which offers a chance to build a sizeable points tally before travelling to Australasia, where they often struggle.
The second most powerful South African challenge traditionally comes from the Durban Sharks, but perennial underachievers Western Stormers may step into that role this year. Apart from Habana, the Cape Town Stormers have also wooed ’Boka and Golden Lions center Jaque Fourie to compensate for the loss of Jean de Villiers to Munster.
Flanker Schalk Burger has replaced De Villiers as skipper and if the pack maintain the improvement of last season, Stormers can realistically hope for a top-four finish and a semi-finals slot.
Filling the shoes of Argentina fly-half Juan Martin Hernandez poses Sharks a major challenge with unproven Steve Meyer being touted for the pivotal role.
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