2012 S15 New Kids on the Block

New season after a WC tournament means a lot of retired or NH pensioners brings a lot of new players to SupeRugby. Which ones impressed you so far?

NZ: Brodie Retallick, Chris Noakes
SA: Eben Eztebeth, Juandre Kruger
Aus: Foley (no one else is really new)

OK I'll throw in some Stormers young stock:
Siya Kolisi
http://www.thestormers.co.za/profiles.asp?id=1071



Position: Loose Forward
Physical: 1.87m, 101kg
Born: 16 June 1991, Eastern Cape
Province: WP
WP Caps: 19
WP Points: 25(5t)
WP Debut: 2011 v Lions
Siya is another of the WP young guns that has already made his mark at junior international level and at a senior provincial level. Siya had an impressive Currie Cup season in 2011 and, with his high work rate and strength, proved he is a valuable player in the squad, walking away with the 2011 WP Most Promising Senior Player award.

Eben Etzebeth
http://www.thestormers.co.za/profiles.asp?id=1371



Position: Lock
Physical: 2.03m, 120kg
Born: 29 October 1991, Cape Town
Province: WP
WP Caps: 0
WP Points: 0
WP Debut: -
Stormers Caps: 0
Stormers Points: 0
Stormers Debut: -
A big strong lock and emerging young star, Eben is one of Province’s group of young guns pushing hard for senior honours. In 2011 Eben represented SA at the u20 Junior World Cup. Eben is a tall, physical lock with a high work rate. He will be looking to make a big debut this season.

Steven Kitshoff (debut last year but still wet behind the ears and will start for the Stormers)
http://www.thestormers.co.za/profiles.asp?id=1091


Position: Prop
Physical: 1.83m, 120kg
Born: 10 February 1992, Paarl
Province: WP
WP Caps: 9
WP Points: 0
WP Debut: 2011 v Griffons
Stormers Caps: 5
Stormers Points: 0
Stormers Debut: 2011 v Chiefs
Steven is the youngest player in the squad and made his debut, coming off the bench for the Stormers in 2011. He demonstrated his force in the scrum and proved to be excellent on attack. Steven suffered a knee injury during the Currie Cup season in 2011 and will be excited to get back into Super Rugby and make an impact.

Scarra Ntubeni
http://www.thestormers.co.za/profiles.asp?id=1111

Position: Hooker
Physical: 1.74m, 102kg
Born: 18 February 1991, East London
Province: WP
WP Caps: 6
WP Points: 0
WP Debut: 2011 v Blue Bulls
Stormers Caps: 3
Stormers Points: 0
Stormers Debut: 2011 v Lions
Siyabonga, who is affectionately known as “Scarra”, is a youngster with a bright rugby future. He made his Super Rugby debut for the DHL Stormers in 2011 and has been cementing himself in the Western Province set up ever since. With his excellent leadership qualities and accuracy in the lineout, he will continue to play a significant role for the squad.

Frans Malherbe (Same as Ginga)
http://www.thestormers.co.za/profiles.asp?id=1161



Position: Prop
Physical: 1.90m, 120kg
Born: 14 March 1991, Paarl
Province: WP
WP Caps: 18
WP Points: 0
WP Debut: 2011 v Blue Bulls
Stormers Caps: 4
Stormers Points: 0
Stormers Debut: 2011 v Lions
Frans went to Paarl Boys High School, captaining the first team side and represented SA Schools in 2009. He made his first Super Rugby debut in 2011 and despite his young age impressed in the tighthead position. Frans will be looking to make this a break out season at Super Rugby level.

Nizaam Carr
http://www.thestormers.co.za/profiles.asp?id=1451


Position: Loose Forward
Physical: 1.84m, 103kg
Born: 4 April 1991, Cape Town
Province: WP
WP Caps: 7
WP Points: 0
WP Debut: 2011 v Lions
Stormers Caps: 0
Stormers Points: 0
Stormers Debut: -
Nizaam attended the well known rugby school in Cape Town, Bishops College. 2011 was a good year for the flanker as he played a massive role in the IRB Junior World Championships for the SA U20 side. He also represented UCT’s Ikey Tigers in their year of their Varsity Cup victory, as well as getting a call up to the DHL WP senior team. This multi-skilled loose forward has a bright future and is looking to make an impression this season.

Louis Schreuder
http://www.thestormers.co.za/profiles.asp?id=1211



Position: Scrumhalf
Physical: 1.85m, 82kg
Born: 25 April 1990, Paarl
Province: WP
WP Caps: 21
WP Points: 5(1t)
WP Debut: 2010 v Border
Stormers Caps: 3
Stormers Points: 0
Stormers Debut: 2011 v Cheetahs
Louis was one of the many youngsters to be called up to the senior Western Province Currie Cup side in 2011 and made a good impact. Displaying excellent ball skills and quick pace, Louis proved to be an impressive impact player. Still only 21 years of age, this scrumhalf has a promising future ahead of him.

This lot will be in the Stormers match 22 this weekend.

Haha there is a Ginger ninja in the Stormers squad

Yeah that Stormers Ranga more then held his own in the scrums last week where the Hurricanes got dominated.

He's young so watch out. Most likely Jake White will sign him up for his next contract.perhaps.

Lopeti Timani from the Waratahs looks like he has the potential to be Palu's replacement in the next year or two.

Brumbies: Jesse Mogg

Obviously looking forward to see how the rest of the rookies go: Crawford, Holmes, Rory Murphy, Kuridrani etc

Is he Ronald McDonald's younger brother? He goes well though.

Kerr-Barlow is looking awsomely promising. Pull your bloody socks up though. The young 10 for the Crusaders has ice in his veins.

It's a shame that Waratahs or the Rebels didn't try to pick up Kerr Barlow a year or two ago when he was on the bench to Brendon Leonard as his mum, I believe, is an Australian so would not have caused any worries re import quotas.now it appears with him being the highest point scorer so far in this fantasy team comp, he is inching closer to his goal of playing for the ABs.

Gone-Barlow.

What a player.

Tim Nanai-Williams although not a newbie is also good to watch.

Jacques Potgieter at blindside has surprised me at the Bulls. He came into the starting side because his namesake Dewaldt decided to put his arm through a window a couple of weeks ago. The latter will be lucky to get back his starting spot upon his return. Young Jacques is a bit of a beast, hair and all.

The Sharks scrum dominated the last couple of seasons but I enjoy the first and the tight head the Stormers got and scored the winning penalty from it and the Doep broers were in the Sharks scrum in that last one. Ginga sure as hell lifted his strength and power. For a 20 year old I just hope he keep on improving and Malherbe is technical very strong aswell. All the Stormers youngsters impressed yet again and Coetzee better contracted them pretty fast. The way young Etsebet get stucked in at the physical exchanges and handbags throwing ending at the bottom show he is on his way the be a real find. Next time we'll have Elstadt who was last years SA find of the season.
Sport24

Angus Cottrell for the Force

Thought my brute broer could have done better. Here is the Brutes debutants
Francois Venter
http://www.thebulls.co.za/profile.aspx?pid=707&team=Senior

Position Centre
Height 1.84
Weight 93
Date of Birth April 19 1991
Place of Birth Bloemfontein
Provincial Debut 2011 v Sharks
Provincial Caps 12
Provincial Points 15
Super 14 Debut 2012 v Sharks
Super 14 Caps 2
Super 14 Points 0
Test Debut
Test Caps 0
Test Points 0
He might be one of the youngest players in the competition, but the South African u.20 midfielder has already proved his worth in the senior ranks with a stellar debut year in the 2011 Currie Cup. Very quick off the mark, great running angles and sound distribution are core skills for the former SA Schools player, who will be pushing fellow midfielders Wynand Olivier and Johann Sadie for a starting berth all season.

Jacques Potgieter
http://www.thebulls.co.za/profile.aspx?pid=1041&team=Senior

Position Loose Forward
Height 1.94
Weight 112
Date of Birth April 24 1986
Place of Birth Port Elizabeth
Provincial Debut 2009 v Border (EP)
Provincial Caps 25
Provincial Points 45
Super 14 Debut 2012 v Sharks
Super 14 Caps 2
Super 14 Points 0
Test Debut
Test Caps 0
Test Points 0
Expect this all action loose forward to hit the ground running in his first season of Super Rugby. An abrasive and aggressive player, Potgieter does not know how to take a backward step and opponents will soon learn about the former EP Kings player’s bone crushing defence. Having paid his dues in the lower echelons of the game, Potgieter will be keen to announce himself to the big time big time.

Juandré Kruger
http://www.thebulls.co.za/profile.aspx?pid=656&team=Senior
Position Lock
Height 1.98
Weight 110kg
Date of Birth September 06 1985
Place of Birth Cape Town
Provincial Debut 2007 WP
Provincial Caps 38
Provincial Points 40
Super 14 Debut 2012 v Sharks
Super 14 Caps 2
Super 14 Points 0
Test Debut
Test Caps 0
Test Points 0
After kicking his heels during Super Rugby in 2011, expect Juandré Kruger to make the most of his opportunities this year. The athletic lock forward has impressed in Currie Cup with his ball carrying ability and line-out play, but is not afraid to mix it up in the tight stuff, as witnessed during his two years spent with Northampton Saints in the English Premiership and Heineken Cup.

Frik Kirsten
http://www.thebulls.co.za/profile.aspx?pid=655&team=Senior
Position Prop
Height 1.92
Weight 120 kg
Date of Birth September 18 1988
Place of Birth Johannesburg
Provincial Debut 2009 v WP
Provincial Caps 14
Provincial Points 10
Super 14 Debut 2009 v Blues
Super 14 Caps 4
Super 14 Points 0
Test Debut
Test Caps 0
Test Points 0
After some time away from the game recovering from a neck operation and university studies, Kirsten is finally ready for rugby on the big stage. A fantastic athlete who can run most backs ragged; the former national age group player will add depth and brains to the Bulls pack. He is versatile and plays both sides of the scrum, making him a valuable squad member in a long season.

CJ Stander
http://www.thebulls.co.za/profile.aspx?pid=710&team=Senior

Position Loose Forward
Height 1.88
Weight 106
Date of Birth April 05 1990
Place of Birth George
Provincial Debut 2010 v Pumas
Provincial Caps 27
Provincial Points 30
Super 14 Debut 2012 v Sharks
Super 14 Caps 2
Super 14 Points 0
Test Debut
Test Caps 0
Test Points 0
This will be a first Super Rugby campaign for one of the most talked about loose forwards in the country. The former SA u.20 and SA Schools captain had a great Currie Cup season with the Blue Bulls although he was still a junior player and brings a massive work rate, great rugby brain, impeccable leadership skills and tremendous ability in the loose to the team.

Louis Fouché
http://www.thebulls.co.za/profile.aspx?pid=1021&team=Senior
Position Fly half
Height 1.86
Weight 97
Date of Birth January 04 1990
Place of Birth Pretoria
Provincial Debut 2011 v Pumas
Provincial Caps 9
Provincial Points 126
Super 14 Debut 2012 v Sharks
Super 14 Caps 2
Super 14 Points 0
Test Debut
Test Caps 0
Test Points 0
His massive boot might be typical of fly halves from Pretoria, but Louis Fouché loves playing a running game as well. The youngster has shown a lot of courage and temperament in his first year of Currie Cup and will provide ideal cover for Morné Steyn during a long and taxing year. Good defence is another plus, but opponents will need to be wary most of his ability to drop goals from 50, 60 meters out.

JJ Engelbrecht
http://www.thebulls.co.za/profile.aspx?pid=1131&team=Senior
Position Wing
Height 1.90
Weight 95
Date of Birth February 22 1989
Place of Birth Port Elizabeth
Provincial Debut 2009 v Elephants
Provincial Caps 27
Provincial Points 65
Super 14 Debut 2012 v Sharks
Super 14 Caps 2
Super 14 Points 5
Test Debut
Test Caps 0
Test Points 0
The hard-running Engelbrecht will be keen for some game time in the competition, the reason why he moved from Western Province and the Stormers at the end of the 2011 season. Fast and dangerous on attack, the new recruit will provide coach Frans Ludeke with valuable options, both on attack and defence. This could be a big year for the winger, who has consistently delivered at Currie Cup level.

Johann Sadie
http://www.thebulls.co.za/profile.aspx?pid=1141&team=Senior

Position Centre
Height 1.86
Weight 93
Date of Birth January 23 1989
Place of Birth Malmesbury
Provincial Debut 2010 v Border (WP)
Provincial Caps 16
Provincial Points 30
Super 14 Debut 2011 t Reds (Stormers)
Super 14 Caps 8
Super 14 Points 10
Test Debut
Test Caps 0
Test Points 0
The exciting midfielder comes to the Bulls amid huge expectation and hype. Regarded as one of the brightest stars in backline play in South Africa, Bulls fans will be keen to see if the elusive playmaker can continue his rich vein of form shown in Stormers and Western Province colours in 2011. A massive attacking force and great distributor, Sadie could unlock the potential of the Bulls backline big time.

His Mum is a kiwi I think but played 9 for the Australian womens side. No Australian side will get him because his dream has always been to be an All Black. It is why his Mum and Dad shipped him out of Darwin and off to boarding school in NZ.

Aaron Smith from the Highlanders also looks a talent.

Hey PB, many apologies, didn't see this thread when I started other one (I know I know, I should of looked properly) I didn't post this on other one so it just slips of bottom of page. I still stick with players I commented on though

I was really impressed with the Highlanders new half Smith. Gee NZ has a number of very good inside backs.add to the list Kerr-Barlow, Sopoanga, Barrett, Bleyendaal.sheesh!

Even though he has been around a couple of seasons I will also put up Robbie Robinson as one who might come into his own this year, likewise Jake Schatz from the Reds.

No probs mate, I started this because there was a lot of asking about the Saffer newbies and myself always a bit passionate when it come to young talents. Still have to do the other three SA teams.