Super Rugby 2018

Lions 2018 Schedule

Saturday 17 February: Lions v Sharks - Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg 17:15 SAST
Saturday 24 February: Lions v Jaguares - Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg 15:05 SAST
Saturday 3 March: Bulls v Lions - Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria 17:15 SAST
Saturday 10 March: Lions v Blues - Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg 17:15 SAST
Saturday 17 March: Lions v Sunwolves - Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg 17:15 SAST
Saturday 24 March: Jaguares v Lions - Vélez Sarsfield, Buenos Aires 16:40 ART | 21:40 SAST
Sunday 1 April: Lions - Crusaders - Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg 14:30 SAST
Saturday 7 April: Lions v Stormers - Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg 17:15 SAST
Bye
Friday 20 April: Waratahs v Lions - Allianz Stadium, Sydney 19:45 AEST | 9:45 SAST
Saturday 28 April: Reds v Lions - Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane 15:05 AEST | 5:05 SAST
Saturday 5 May: Hurricanes v Lions - TBC 19:35 NZT | 7:35 SAST
Saturday 12 May: Highlanders v Lions - TBC 19:35 NZT | 7:35 SAST
Saturday 19 May: Lions v Brumbies - Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg 17:15SAST
Saturday 26 May: Stormers v Lions - DHL Newlands, Capetown 17:15 SAST
Bye: SA Conference
Test Window
Saturday 30 June: Sharks v Lions - Growthpoint Kings Park, Durban 17:15 SAST
Bye
Saturday 14 July: Lions v Bulls - Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg 15:05 SAST
 
The following senior players will remain at the Franchise through 2018 ensuring limited loss and player movement within the Emirates Lions:

Warren Whiteley
Kwagga Smith
Andries Coetzee
Andries Ferreira (renewed)
Anthony Volminck
Aphiwe Dyantyi
Corné Fourie
Courtnall Skosan (renewed)
Cyle Brink
Dillon Smit (renewed)
Dylan Smith
Elton Jantjies
Franco Mostert
Harold Vorster
Howard Mnisi
Jaco Kriel
Jacques van Rooyen (renewed)
Johannes Jonker
Lionel Mapoe (renewed)
Lourens Erasmus
Malcolm Marx (renewed)
Marvin Orie
Robbie Coetzee
Rohan Janse van Rensburg
Ross Cronjé
Ruan Combrinck
Ruan Dreyer
Shaun Reynolds
Sthi Sithole
Sylvian Mahuza (renewed)
 
Former Lions player Julian Redelinghuys will be in charge of Player Relations and the Xerox Lions Learning HUB.

The HUB is a long-term development programme for players contracted to the Lions Rugby Company. The HUB programme supports both the current performance demands and their future personal and professional goals, by providing players with essential skills needed to forge a career beyond the game.
 
Lions Super Rugby
Head Coach: Swys de Bruin
Forwards: Philip Lemmer (replaces Victor Matfield)
Breakdown and Backline: Joey Mongalo
Head of Strength & Conditioning: Ivan van Rooyen
Manager: Mustapha Boomgaard
Assistant Manager: Johane Singwane
Head Physician: Dr Rob Collins
Physiotherapist: Preven Appalsamy
Massage Therapist: Ram Mpila
Kicking & Skills (HP Coach): Neil de Bruin
Video Analyst: Wynand Ellis
 
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/...r-top-5-super-rugby-finish-for-sunwolves.html

Rugby: Joseph aiming for Top 5 Super Rugby finish for Sunwolves

The slogan 'Top 5 in 2018' reflects our goals and aspirations for next season," said Joseph, who doubles up as both Sunwolves and Japan national team coach.

...

Sunwolves coach Jamie Joseph announced Monday a squad of 26 players for the 2018 Super Rugby season, adding that the team had set themselves the goal of a top-five finish.

"The slogan 'Top 5 in 2018' reflects our goals and aspirations for next season," said Joseph, who doubles up as both Sunwolves and Japan national team coach.

Japan captain Michael Leitch is one of 12 players new to the franchise, and Joseph said more would be added to the squad in due course, primarily from the Brave Blossoms set-up.

"Because of the unusual contracting model in Japan, some of the players we are trying to approach are company employees. That has led to a delay in naming players. Those named today are predominantly professional rugby players so they are a lot easier to contract."

...

While most of the new players are familiar faces to Top League fans, Georgia hooker Jaba Bregvadze is one of four new front-row forwards.

"One of our biggest work-ons is the set piece so it's great we have the leader of the Georgian scrum and line-out, as we know how strong they are," Joseph said of the 30-year-old Bregvadze, who has played professionally in England and France.

Japan internationals Asaeli Ai Valu, Kazuki Himeno, Wimpie van der Walt and Lomano Lava Lemeki are included in the squad for the first time as Joseph looks to use the franchise to develop the Brave Blossoms ahead of the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

"There will be total consistency in the way Japan and the Sunwolves play," Joseph said. Though he did add, the two teams were different entities in different competitions and as such would have slightly different cultures.

Other debutants include props Ruan Smith and Craig Millar, lock Grant Hattingh, flyhalf Hayden Parker, wing Gerhard van den Heever and fullback Robbie Robinson.

All of the new players will be eligible for Japan at RWC 2019 with the exception of Bregvadze, Millar and Parker.

...

"It's important the players get a couple of weeks off after the Top League finishes to freshen up as much as they can," said Joseph, who is the Sunwolves' third head coach in as many years.

The team are now scheduled to play five home games in Tokyo, two in Singapore and one at a venue to be arranged. However, informed sources have told Kyodo News that is likely to change with Hong Kong set to host one game and Tokyo likely to get a sixth.

"I am very excited to be head coach and can't wait to get into it," said Joseph, who led the Highlanders to the Super Rugby crown in 2015.
Click to expand...
 
faniebraai said:
wasn't he back on supersport recently? god help us all...
Click to expand...

He has never contributed much on the SuperSport panel. Just like Jean de Villiers which was later chased to the grounds. They talk about the game that we must play, but a game neither the two has ever played.
 
OT, but lol!

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby...oney-to-end-career-against-one-legged-players

Dan Carter blasted for taking big Japanese money to end career against 'one-legged players'

Outspoken Toulon boss Mourad Boudjellal has kicked off his new European rugby column by attacking All Blacks great Dan Carter for his decision to quit France for Japan to "make money against one-legged opponents".

...

"Dan Carter told us this week that he is 35, 36, and is leaving for Japan. But it must also be said that there is a beautiful financial project in a league where there are 10 matches including eight to play against one-legged players. All will be well, there is no problem," laughed Boudjellal on the video column.
Click to expand...

It seems Toulon's big boss has had his head knocked. They were humiliated by the Panasonic Wild Knights at the Brisbane Tens, not to mention the recent Les Bleus draw against Japan.

Anyways, it is Carter’s own choice to end his career in Japan.
 
http://www.sarugbymag.co.za/blog/details/super-rugby-transfers-2017-18

BULLS

In

Tim Agaba (SA Sevens)
Marnitz Boshoff (Connacht)
Thembelani Boli (Kings)
Dayan van der Westhuizen (Kings)
Frans van Wyk (Stormers)
Jano Venter (Lions)

Out

Jacobie Adriaanse (Lions)
Arno Botha (released)
Renaldo Bothma (Harlequins)
Martin Dryer (Kings)
Kefentse Mahlo (released)
Sibahle Maxwane (released
Luther Obi (Cheetahs)
Marnus Schoeman (Pumas)
Tian Schoeman (Bordeaux)
Jan Serfontein (Montpellier)
Piet van Zyl (retired) This is a surprise

LIONS

In

Christiaan Meyer (Griquas)
Khwezi Mona (Pumas)

Out

Ruan Ackermann (Gloucester)
Fabian Booysen (released)
Faf de Klerk (Sale)
Jaques Nel (Kings)
Akker van der Merwe (Sharks)
Jaco van der Walt (Edinburgh)
Hencus van Wyk (Munakata Sanix Blues)

SHARKS

In

Robert du Preez (Stormers)
Ross Geldenhuys (Kings)
Gideon Koegelenberg (Zebre)
Makazole Mapimpi (Cheetahs)
Tyler Paul (Kings)
Louis Schreuder (Kings)
Akker van der Merwe (Lions)
Cameron Wright (Montpellier)
Leolin Zas (Stormers)

Out

Lourens Adriaanse (Pau)
Stephan Coetzee (Kings)
Jean Deysel (Ulster)
Rowan Gouws (Kings)
Francois Kleynhans (Pumas)
Pat Lambie (Racing 92)
Khaya Majola (Kings)
Odwa Ndungane (retired)
Etienne Oosthuizen (Lyon)
Cobus Reinach (Northampton Saints)
S'bura Sithole (Kings)
Hanco Venter (released)

STORMERS

In

Sergeal Petersen (Cheetahs)
Raymond Rhule (Cheetahs)

Out

Bjorn Basson (Oyonnax)
Kurt Coleman (Kings)
Juan de Jongh (Wasps)
Rob du Preez (Sharks)
Rynhardt Elstadt (Toulouse)
Huw Jones (Glasgow)
Oli Kebble (Glasgow)
Cheslin Kolbe (Toulouse)
Godlen Masimla (Kings)
Brandon Thompson (Glasgow)
Frans van Wyk (Bulls)
 
Meh. Nothing has looked as good as the Investec/Fedsure black tops from the late 90's, early 00's. I still have mine
 
Apparently, Andy Ellis or Matt Giteau was in Jamie Joseph’s plan to be recruited onto the Sunwolves roster, but they have decided on another outsider which they already contracted… they are also busy recruiting a world class backrow.

As good as these moves may be to enhance the Sunwolves brand, it will compromise on the Japan-eligible player base but will be introducing resting periods to cater to their year-long rugby program.
 
2018 Super Rugby odds - via BET.co.za:

Crusaders 73/20
Hurricanes 17/4
Lions 11/2
Chiefs 13/2
Highlanders 15/2
Blues 13/1
Brumbies 27/2
Stormers 33/2
Waratahs 23/1
Bulls 25/1
Sharks 26/1
Jaguares 40/1
Reds 53/1
Melbourne Rebels 99/1
Sunwolves 519/1
 
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